We're On A Roll........

Helpful hints for our friends and family with small children and babies!!

At the Store:
Choose safer toys and teethers.
• Look for “PVC-free” on the labels of soft plastic toys and teethers.
Another class of chemicals shown to disrupt the hormone system—phthalates—
is found in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic. PVC plastic is used
to make different types of children’s products, including some teethers and soft plastic toys. Some manufacturers have removed PVC from their children’s products, especially
products intended to be put into children’s mouths. Unfortunately, no
law requires or regulates these labels, and few products are labeled as such.
When parents have a question about the chemicals in a product, they
should call the manufacturer.

• Choose wooden toys. There are countless manufacturers of high
quality wooden toys in the market. Everything from baby rattles to
kitchen play-sets are now made out of wood. Some commonly available
brands include Plan Toys, Haba, Turner Toys, Selecta, and Holztiger.

Choose safer food packaging and serving containers.
• Avoid polycarbonate plastic in food containers. Check the bottom/underside
of the product. If you see “PC” (usually in or near the recycling
triangle) signifying polycarbonate plastic, do not purchase it. Often a
number “7” on the bottom in the recycling triangle, by itself, also means
the material is polycarbonate, but not always. To be safe, avoid #7 plastic.
Choose plastics labeled #1, #2, or #5 in the recycling triangle, but do
not heat beverages or food in plastic containers of any kind.

• Avoid PVC plastic in food containers.
Check the bottom/underside of the product. If you find the number
“3” in the recycling triangle, it is made from PVC plastic and should
be avoided. Choose plastics labeled #1, #2, or #5 in the recycling triangle,
but do not heat beverages or food in plastic containers of any kind.

• Avoid canned foods:

Unfortunately, bisphenol A can leach from metal can lining into the foods and liquids
contained within. Buy baby food in glass containers, and avoid feeding
your child food from cans as much as possible. You can often find popular
children’s foods, such as tomato sauce, applesauce, and black beans,
in glass jars.

• Choose safer containers for sippy cups and water bottles. Look for
plastics labeled #1, #2, or #5 in the recycling triangle. As an alternative
to hard plastic water bottles (such as the polycarbonate Nalgene bottles),
try a lightweight stainless steel bottle instead.

• Choose glass or safer-plastic baby bottles. Almost all plastic baby bottles
are made from polycarbonate plastic containing bisphenol A, but they are
rarely labeled as such. With as few as 50-100 washings—even before you
see wear—significant amounts of bisphenol A can leach into your baby’s milk.

For the best protection, switch to using glass bottles for all or most
of baby’s use. Contrary to claims by the plastics industry, glass bottles
are extremely durable and safe (and wash well in the dishwasher). And
after all, they were good enough for you when you were a baby! Evenflo
is one of the only glass bottle makers around (some Babies “R” Us stores
carry them and they are available on-line). A couple of manufacturers
make their baby bottles from a safer polypropylene-based plastic (a softer,
opaque plastic), which has not been associated with the developmental
problems linked to bisphenol A.
• Choose metal feeding utensils and enamel or ceramic plates. While
many manufacturers have removed phthalates from products intended to
be put into young children’s mouths, without a law prohibiting their use,
there is no guarantee that these products, such as soft, plastic-coated
feeding spoons, are made without phthalates. Look for PVC-free labels
or buy stainless steel, enamel, ceramic, or glass. (Note that enamel
cannot be put in the microwave, and you should not use old pottery that
could have lead-based glazes).

• Avoid foods wrapped in plastic. Almost all commercial grade plastic
cling wrap contains PVC plasticized with phthalates, and other plastic
food packaging may be made of PVC, as well. Avoid buying foods
wrapped in plastic, especially cheeses and meats. Buy deli-sliced cheeses
and meats and have them wrapped in paper. If you can’t avoid buying
plastic-wrapped foods, cut off a thin layer of the cheese or meat when you
get home and store the remainder in glass or less-toxic plastic.

At Home:
• Use glass to heat food or liquid in the microwave. You should not heat food
in plastic containers or on plastic dishware, or heat liquids in plastic
baby bottles. Heating food and liquids in plastic containers can cause
chemicals and additives in the plastics to leach out more readily—right into
baby’s food and milk. While some plastic containers are marketed as
“microwave safe,” it is safest to avoid them for heating.
• If you do use plastic bottles, containers, or dishware, avoid harsh
detergents or hot water when washing them to reduce exposure. Do
not put plastic bottles, containers, or dishware in the dishwasher. Also,
throw out any plastic bottles, containers, and dishware that start to
look scratched or hazy. Do not let milk sit for long periods of time in plastic.
• Avoid letting your child put plastic toys in his/her mouth. Toys designed
for older children are more likely to contain phthalates or bisphenol A. It
is assumed that young children will not mouth these toys—such as action
figures and Barbie dolls. To be safe, keep all plastic toys out of children’s mouths.

Call the manufacturer if you want to know if a product contains phthalates or bisphenol A.