The solution:
• Children, and women who are pregnant or breast-feeding, should avoid eating large predatory fish, including tuna steak (canned is safe in limited quantities) and swordfish. An excellent guide to mercury-contaminated fish is available from Toronto Public Health.
The issue: Plasticizers, including phthalates – a group of chemicals used to soften plastics, in particular PVCs in toys (such as some inflatable toys and rattles) and in a variety of personal-care products (such as nail polish, shampoo and soap) – and bisphenol A (BPA) – a chemical used to make hard clear plastic, such as the polycarbonate used in baby bottles and in the lining of tins used for canned foods. Animal studies of both phthalates and BPA suggest a range of damaging effects to developing reproductive systems, especially in males, as a result of ingestion.
The solution:
• Use safe alternatives to baby bottles and other food storage containers, such as glass or polyethylene plastic (recycling symbol #1). Health Canada has recently banned the sale of baby bottles containing BPA.
• Use only plastic containers labelled as microwave safe – there is some concern plastic wrap may leak plasticizers into high-fat foods, such as meats and cheeses, at high temperatures.
• Shop for PVC-, phthalate- and BPA-free baby products and toys, especially when buying something a baby is likely to put in his or her mouth. Or look for numbers 1, 2, 4 and 5 on the bottom of plastic products – those are safe. Do not use products labelled with a 3, 6 or 7. If you're unsure, write the manufacturer to ask what its products contain. Health Canada is currently investigating the use of phthalates in toys for children under three.
• Avoid drinking water from plastic bottles, especially if you're pregnant, since the bottles may contain BPA. Where possible, drink tap water; most experts contend that Canada's drinking water is among the safest in the world.
• Limit consumption of canned foods if you are pregnant or feeding a young child, since the lining in the cans contains BPA.
• Avoid using personal-care products (such as baby lotions, shampoos and diaper-rash treatments) on babies because such products contain phthalates; use them sparingly on children. It’s not unreasonable to use a product to treat diaper rash, says Walker, but it's not necessary to slather lotions and creams on babies all the time. Instead, use warm water and mild soap for babies under six months. You can also use mild soap in lieu of baby shampoo. Avoid talcum powder, which can be inhaled and cause respiratory problems due to perfumes and silicates.
• Be cautious about using products labelled "natural" or "organic"; the labels are meaningless since use of such terms is unregulated.
Page 2 of 5
