BPA and BC? What changes did you make?

peggy_j

Is anyone else concerned about the link between BPA (the chemical that leaks from plastic) and BC? i.e. is this a valid concern or am I over-reacting? If you are concerned, what lifestyle changes have you made and/or do you recommend? I ditched the water bottle (+ found a disposal one that is made from plants, believe it or not). I'm avoiding most canned foods w/ bpa-linings (buying Eden Organics, w/ bpa-free lining), bought glass leftover containers (etc etc) and even changed my coffee-making habits to a system w/o plastic (hot water + plastic coffee maker parts = BPA). Is this crazy?

Sherbear

I don't think it's crazy at all, I think it's crazy that it around and in SO many things!  It's in our cash register receipts for the love of god!

I too have gone with glass leftover containers, a stainless steel water bottle, if I buy canned goods they are BPA free, but the beans I use I now buy dry and organic and cook from that.  Trying to avoid as much as I can, some you just can't control.  Sucks that we have to be exposed to all of this crap. 

Iamstronger

I have gone to glass storage and even water bottles. I used to use an ice tea maker,but that was plastic and warm water, so I stopped and now just use the stove. For me, these are the easy changes to make, so I make them. Neurotic, maybe, but since they are easy, I make them.

gutsy

Yes, it is crazy that it is in so many products. I have bought a stainless steel waterbottle, I avoid heating anything up in plastic, try to heat things on the stove as opposed to popping it in microwaves. I also try to use glass containers. Try to use as little as canned products as I can, certainly not perfect at all these things.

peggy_j

When I first heard about BPA in canned foods I had to turn off the computer. It was too much. Also, it took me awhile the make the coffee-maker connection, so I'm wondering if I'm missing anything else. (i.e. I used to use a plastic hot pot when I travel, but just ordered a stainless one and and an infusion heater. Seems so retro). Yeah, I've heard that cash register receipts hav BPA and I refuse to take them sometimes. (they even use the thermal receipts are our health-food store, geez) I heard that BPA stays in your body for only three days, so I guess there's some good news (I'm not still battling the BPA I ingested last year!)

gutsy, what's the concern with the microwave? Is it heating the plastic or microwaving in general? I've heard that the m-wave can emit radiation (my hubby says the fridge does too, yee). I heard that microwaves can change the molecular structure of food and then our bodies process them differently. This seems so hard to believe. Please tell me this theory is conspiracy bunk. (we really can trust anything? yee...) 

MariannaLaFrance

Great topic. Where did you find a coffee maker that doesn't have plastic? Would love to change that.

peggy_j

MariannaHB, I googled "coffee maker bpa-free" and found a handful of suggestions on various blogs.  (I'm having problems doing and cut-and-paste of the URL, but one was freespiritwriter.com). The suggestions are: french presses; moka pots; chemex coffee makers; cold brew coffee maker and the old fashioned coffee percolators. That website provides links to Amazon. I went to my local upscale kitchen store and they had Moka Pots and french presses, but the saleswomen said those were better for espresso rather than coffee (sounds great, but I'm also trying to wean off caffeine.) I couldn't decide so I went low-tech: they also sold a $10 ceramic coffee filter "holder" that holds the filter and grounds and you set on a mug. So I'm boiling water in a stainless steel pot and doing drip coffee one cup at a time. I thought it would be a pain but it's not too bad, but wouldn't work for a crowd. I think it also helps with my goal to drink less java. ha. I think the coffee percolator is probably the easiest way to go, but I have to say, I'm so maxed out doing BC research that deciding which percolator to buy was too much. ha. If you try one of these other systems, let me know cuz I'm curious to know how they work.:

althea

For all kinds of reasons, I am consistently trying to use less plastic in every form.  It's getting into our oceans and causing all kinds of grief, and quite some time ago I had some travel mugs I used over and over so that my own carbon footprint would be smaller.  My very favorite container was made by tervis.  There's a lot of things to like about their tumbers, but unfortunately, my bubble was burst when I discovered their products contain bpa. 

Nowadays, I drink out of glass most of the time.  I buy filtered water and collect it in glass 4 liter jugs, which are 12 pounds when filled, 3 pounds empty.  

As for coffee, I've been drinking espresso ever since my ex moved out and took the coffee maker with him.  (better off without either of them!)  I have starbucks at home, and it's a simple pleasure I genuinely enjoy every day.   I discovered as a result that I actually drink way less coffee and use fewer coffee beans.  win/win/win all the way around.

peggy_j

althea, I agree, lots of reasons to avoid plastic. Sounds like you're avoiding it everywhere. Impressive. I'm trying but it's hard. i.e. I'm buying organic peanut butter and other nut butters in glass jars, but some products only come in plastic containers (like organic ketchup). The other night I was brushing my teeth (with my beloved SonicCare) and reallized that, of course, those bristles are plastic. Guess we can't win them all. (and I can rinse my mouth after brushing).

Anyone have other ideas? I want to be safe but not go nuts on this.

new_direction

old topic but very relevant.
I never thought of the coffee maker before reading this. Now I'm worried about sitting in front of a computer hours every day with hands on plastic keyboards, mouse etc???

abigail48

I got a natural bristle tooth brush years ago, when I tried to replace it I couldn't find another, so I use the same old one, son it will be impossibly worn down, but I really like it:  the bristles are soft