Plastics and the chemicals they contain can enter our bodies and have potentially harmful effects on our health and the health of our babies. Here are some ways plastics can enter your body, their potential impacts, and how to protect yourself and your pregnancy.
Pollution in our Bodies
Plastics and chemicals in plastic can enter our bodies through the air, in water and in food. Some plastics can also be absorbed through the skin.
Complications
Plastics contain Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs), which interfere with our hormones and increase the risk of diseases like obesity, high blood pressure, miscarriage, preterm birth, and cancer.
Common Plastic Chemicals
- Bisphenols (like BPA)
- Used to line food cans, hard plastic bottles, heating food in plastic, thermal paper receipts, shampoos, detergents and sunscreens
- PFAS/PFOS
- Grease-resistant wrappers, fast food containers, microwave popcorn bags, pizza boxes, non-stick cookware, waterproof mascara, stain-resistant furniture sprays, waterproof clothing, and water from communities near manufacturing that used PFAS
- Phthalaes
- Plastic packaging around food, carpet and furniture, soft plastic baby and children’s toys
- Flame Retardants
- Indoor dust, foam furniture, electronics, building materials, fish, meat & dairy, fire-fighting foam
How Does it Interfere?
Blocks thyroid + testosterone hormones and acts like estrogen, injures our DNA and increases cancer, causes inflammation and high blood pressure, disrupts gut bacteria accumulates in brain, liver and kidneys.
Who is At Risk?
Exposure to plastics and the chemicals inside them is widespread. Pregnancy is an especially vulnerable window for exposure, putting pregnant women, infants, and children at risk.
Ways to Reduce Exposure
- Don’t microwave food in plastic containers
- Avoid non-stick cookware
- Avoid drinking from plastic bottles
- Minimize handling paper receipt
- Eat a mostly plant-based diet
- Consider a water filter
- Choose natural fabrics like cotton, linen, wool
- Avoid dishasher and laundry pods
- Reduce dust in your home with HEPA filters and wet mop
- Lessen amount of canned food you eat