Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Southwest Portland Post. (Portland, Oregon) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 1, 2008)
September 2008 The Southwest Portland Post • 7 FEATURES EarthTalk TM (Continued from Page 6) sidered safe for repeated use storing food items and cycling through the dishwasher. Most food storage products from Glad, Hefty, Ziploc and Saran also pass The Green Guide’s muster for health safety. But consumers should be aware of more than just a few “safe” brands, as most companies make several product lines featuring different types of plas- tics. While the vast majority of Tup- perware products are considered safe, for example, some of its food storage containers use polycarbonate (plastic #7), which has been shown to leach the harmful hormone-disrupting chemical Bisphenol A (BPA) into food items after repeated uses. Consumers concerned about such risks might want to avoid the following polycarbonate-based Tupperware prod- ucts: the Rock ‘N Serve microwave line, the Meals-in-Minutes Microsteamer, the “Elegant” Serving Line, the TupperCare baby bottle, the Pizza Keep’ N Heat con- tainer, and the Table Collection (the last three are no longer made but might still be kicking around your kitchen). Beyond BPA, other chemicals can be found in various food storage contain- ers. Containers made out of polyethyl- ene terephthalate (PET or PETE, or plas- tic #1)—such as most soda bottles—are OK to use once, but can leach carcino- genic, hormone-disrupting phthalates when used over and over again. Also, many deli items come wrapped in plastic made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC, or plastic #3), which can leach cancer-causing dioxins. Swapping foods out of such wraps once the grocer- ies are at home is advisable. Containers made of polystyrene (PS, or plastic #6, also known as Styrofoam) can also be dangerous, as its base com- ponent, styrene, has been associated with skin, eye and respiratory irrita- tion, depression, fatigue, compromised kidney function, and central nervous system damage. Take-out restaurant orders often come in polystyrene con- tainers, which also should be emptied into safer containers once you get them home. If your head is spinning and you can’t bear to examine the bottom of yet another plastic food storage container for its recycling number, go with glass. Pyrex, for instance, does not contain chemicals that can leach into food. Of course, such items can break into glass shards if dropped. But most consumers would gladly trade the risk of chemical contamination for the risk of breakage any day. Contacts: The Green Guide, www. thegreenguide.com; Tupperware, www. tupperware.com. The vast majority of Tupperware products are considered safe, but food storage con- tainers to avoid use polycarbonate (plastic #7). (Photo by Jerroen, courtesy Flickr) GOT AN ENVIRONMENTAL QUES- TION? Send it to: EarthTalk, c/o E/The Environmental Magazine, P.O. Box 5098, Westport, CT 06881; submit it at: www. emagazine.com/earthtalk/thisweek/, or e- mail: earthtalk@emagazine.com. Read past columns at: www.emagazine.com/earthtalk/ archives.php. POST A TO Z BUSINESS CARD DIRECTORY 503-244-6933 Your Ad Here! Just $49/month for a year! The Natural Alternative for Pet Foods & Supplies 7642 SW Capitol Hwy · 971-222-2686 All Natural Foods Herbal & Homeopathic Remedies Allergy Relief Raw Food Diets Grooming Products Collars Leashes Toys Books 10-7 M-F, 10-6 Sat, 12-5 Sun · www.healthypetsnw.com PRECISION HOME REPAIR & DRYWALL JON A. GOSCH Phone: 503-643-3517 Pager: 503-441-8940 website: http://users.myexcel.com/precision1 Quality work at affordable rates Licensed • Bonded • Insured • CCB #77073 Qualitydentistryinacaring,relaxedenvironment. FAMILY & COSMETIC DENTISTRY 503-246-2564 7717SW34thAvenue•Portland,OR97219 (MultnomahVillage•SWCapitolHighway&34thAve.) The IDEA Today … The SIGN Tomorrow! •SIGNS •BANNERS •GRAPHICS •MAGNETICS •LETTERING •LOGOS&MORE 503.244.0980 9220 SW Barbur Blvd. #111 - Portland - OR - 97219
