Plast Is The Silent Killer

Almost everything around you is made of plastic. You see it in stores, at home, in the office and on vacation. About 50 years ago, there was a major shift in the way this material is used, both in the global economy and in our everyday habits. The bad news is that plastic is destroying our planet due to land and water pollution. In today’s article, we’re here to tell you why plastic is the silent killer, and what you can do about it.

Plastic is the silent killer, does it improve or worsen our lives?

Plastic is the silent killer, a central part of our daily lives and an important product around the house. You can find it in packaging or wrapping for food, in bowls or storage boxes in your kitchen, in items you use all the time… in short, it’s everywhere.

While it is easy to believe that these plastic things you use regularly improve your standard of living, in the medium and long term they pose a real threat to your health and the health of the planet.

To find out what type of plastic you are most exposed to at home or at work, check the bottom of each container where you will find a triangle and a number or a few letters in the middle. Not all types of plastic cause the same degree of damage.

These are the most common types of plastic:

PET (polyethylene terephthalate)

Because that is what is used to produce plastic bottles, you can say that this is the most common type of plastic on the market today. Everything made using this material can only be used once. Otherwise, it may carry heavy metals and chemicals in its contents that interfere with human hormones.

HPD (high density polyethylene)

You could say that this is a “good” variant of plastic. Still, you should not stop being vigilant – it can still transfer chemical products to your water or other contents.

LDP (low density polyethylene)

This type of plastic releases chemicals into your water and any other medium it is in. It is used to make plastic bags or packaging for food.

PVC or 3V (polyvinyl chloride)

PVC emits two extremely toxic elements that can interfere with human hormone function. Although this side effect is known, it is still commonly used in the manufacture of baby bottles, for example. Today, there are strict rules for how this can be produced in the EU.

PP (polypropylene)

This is another relatively “good” plastic that can be transparent or white in appearance. It is often used to make syrup bottles, yogurt or sour cream containers and the like.

PS (polystyrene)

This plastic is used in fast food containers and disposable coffee cups. It contains a compound that is known to cause cancer (among other diseases).

PC (polycarbonate)

This is the most dangerous type of plastic used with food, because it secretes a substance that is very toxic to the human body. The really bad news is that PC was the most common choice for the production of baby bottles and bottles for sports drinks, and although it became illegal to use in baby bottles in 2011, it is still on the market.

Plastic-related diseases

At Miguel Hernandez University in Alicante (Spain), researchers conducted a study to investigate a substance found in many objects made of polycarbonate: Bisphenol A.

Toothbrushes, bottles and pacifiers (including products) often contain this type of plastic, which according to the study can cause changes in the body’s metabolism of lipids and glucose in the blood, which can lead to liver problems and diabetes.

It can also increase oxidative stress and cause cardiovascular disease. Bisphenol A alters the function of the pancreas and leads to insulin resistance. This may partly explain why there are so many people with diabetes in the world today ( in 2014, this disease affected 422 million people, according to the World Health Organization). This synthetic compound disrupts the body’s endocrine system, and yet it is not the only dangerous compound we are exposed to on a daily basis.

Lots of harmful substances are present in pesticides that we later consume through fruits and vegetables, as well as in the packaging of products we eat every day. It’s not just about what we eat, but also what we use: solvents, paint, glue, and even dental fillings.

As for Bisphenol A, our exposure to it is enormous, and we have been in contact with this drug since we were born (or even in the womb).

What other diseases are caused by toxins added to plastic? The list is frightening because the number has only grown in the last 30 years.

• Cancer ( breast, uterus, ovaries, cervix, brain, lung, prostate, liver)
• Lymphomas
• Uterine cysts, infertility and miscarriages
• Hyperactivity and ADHD
• Early puberty in children
• Autism
• Penile deformity in little boys
• Parkinson’s disease
• Cardiovascular disease and obesity

How can you protect yourself from the dangers of plastic?

While the first thing you might come up with is to stop using all plastic, the truth is that it is almost impossible to do so. Why? The reason is simple, and we have said it above… we are surrounded by it!

Nevertheless , there are certain steps you can take and habits you can change to reduce your exposure to these products and toxins, to your own health, to the health of people, plants and animals around you, and to the environment:

• Avoid eating and drinking substances wrapped in plastic.
• Try not to use plastic containers to store, serve or heat food.
• Use glass or metal containers in the kitchen.
• Do not consume canned beverages or food.
• Choose baby bottles made of glass for your baby (although they may seem more dangerous if they fall and break).
• Do not buy flexible plastic toys and keep your children from chewing or sucking on them.
• Do not heat food in a microwave oven if it is stored in plastic.
• Do not use plastic sensors but choose wooden sensors instead.
• Get rid of damaged or melted containers.
• Do not use plastic water bottles for exercise or to get your two liters of water a day.
• Do not chew on your pens or other plastic objects.

In this way, you not only prevent disease, but also help us stop the pollution of the planet.