Protect Your Family:
http://www.breastcancerfund.org/reduce-your-risk/tips/protect-your-family/
Keep an eye out for the bad stuff lurking in everyday household items and learn how to make healthier choices. By making a few simple changes, you can significantly reduce your family’s exposure to toxic chemicals.
Know Your Plastics
Plastics are purely manmade, which means lots of chemicals. But some are safer than others. Avoid plastics that contain hormone-disrupting phthalates, especially polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which often has the recycling code 3. The other thing to look out for is toxic BPA, found in clear, shatterproof plastic and sometimes labeled with the recycling code 7.
CLEAR SCIENCE
What’s behind the recycling codes on plastic? Learn which numbers are associated with breast cancer risk.
Science overview of plastics chemicals >
Keep Plastic Out of the Microwave
Even so-called “microwave safe” plastic can leach chemicals into your food when it gets hot, so choose glass or ceramic containers for re-heating food. Don’t cover your food with plastic wrap when you heat it, either; use a ceramic plate or an unbleached paper towel or napkin.
Cook with Stainless Steel or Cast Iron Pans
Consider alternatives to aluminum pans and utensils, especially those that are older. Anodizing prevents the aluminum from leaching into food, so newer, anodized aluminum cookware is considerably safer. But your best bet is stainless steel or cast iron.
Metals linked to breast cancer risk
Avoid Non-stick Cooking Surfaces
Although there’s no denying they make our life easier, non-stick pans contain toxic polyfluorinated chemicals that can be released at high temperatures. While we don’t yet know exactly what the risks are, this is another good argument for switching to stainless steel or cast iron.
Avoid Bottled Water when Possible
Go for the tap (or the filtered tap). Single-use containers may contain phthalates, and the big commercial water jugs may contain toxic BPA. Use a real glass for drinking at home, and pick up a reusable stainless-steel water bottle for drinks on the go. (It’s also better for the environment!)
Choose BPA-free Baby Bottles and Plastic Cups
Glass bottles are always a good option. And with the increased awareness of the risks of BPA, it’s easy to find baby bottles and sippy cups that are made from safer plastics. Look for BPA-free alternatives, now available in most stores that carry baby bottles. If you don’t see them, ask.
Toss Old, Soft Plastic Toys
Some soft plastic toys made before a ban that took effect in February 2009 contained harmful plastic softeners called phthalates. Since these items frequently end up in children’s mouths you should toss older plastics items and say no to hand-me-downs.
RSS
Related Blog PostsAbout the Breast Cancer Fund
Our mission at Baby’s Organic Nursery is to share tips and raise awareness so families everywhere can see how easy it really is to create a safer and healthier environment for our babies. Â Whenever I come across helpful tips such as the ones posted below from the The Breast Cancer Fund, I try to share with our readers.
The more we can have an open conversation about potentially harmful ingredients like Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC),  Phthalates or Bisphenol A (aka BPA) found in our children’s utensils, toys and more- the more we power we will have to make lasting change that could protect the our quality of life and ultimately save lives.  I hope these tips are helpful to you and please share  your thoughts and ideas with us as well!
Be sure to see the full article, Protect Your Family on their site:
SAY NO TOÂ PLASTICS WITHÂ RECYCLING CODE 3 & 7 Avoid plastics that contain hormone-disrupting phthalates, especially polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which often has the recycling code 3. Â The other thing to look out for is toxic BPA, found in clear, shatterproof plastic and sometimes labeled with the recycling code 7.
KEEP PLASTIC OUT OF THE MICROWAVEÂ Even so-called “microwave safe” plastic can leach chemicals into your food when it gets hot, so choose glass or ceramic containers for re-heating food. Don’t cover your food with plastic wrap when you heat it, either; use a ceramic plate or an unbleached paper towel or napkin.
AVOID BOTTLED WATER Go for the tap (or the filtered tap). Single-use containers may contain phthalates, and the big commercial water jugs may contain toxic BPA. Use a real glass for drinking at home, and pick up a reusable stainless-steel water bottle for drinks on the go. (It’s also better for the environment!)
USE BPA-FREE BOTTLES & PLASTIC CUPSÂ Glass bottles are always a good option. And with the increased awareness of the risks of BPA, it’s easy to find baby bottles and sippy cups that are made from safer plastics. Look for BPA-free alternatives, now available in most stores that carry baby bottles. If you don’t see them, ask.
TOSS OLD, SOFT PLASTIC TOYS Â Some soft plastic toys made before a ban that took effect in February 2009 contained harmful plastic softeners called phthalates. Since these items frequently end up in children’s mouths you should toss older plastics items and say no to hand-me-downs.
About the Breast Cancer Fund: I am highlighting the Breast Cancer Fund because I admire their goal to transform how our society thinks about and uses chemicals and radiation.  Their mission is to protect our health and reduce breast cancer risk so that our children, grandchildren and planet can thrive. Our Mission: In response to the public health crisis of breast cancer, the Breast Cancer Fund identifies — and advocates for elimination of — the environmental and other preventable causes of the disease.
Breastfeeding mothers and advocates everywhere have a reason to celebrate next week: August 1-7 is World Breastfeeding Week!
In 2009, the Danish Government  
