Wednesday, April 23, 2008

It all started when I was listening to NPR. I heard a report that Bisphenol A, which is found in number 7 plastics might cause cancer, early puberty and other nasty things.

So I googled it and found that even Nalgene, a local Rochester company by the way, has bottles made of number 7 and now they are pulling them off the shelves.

I kept finding more and more articles on the hazards of number 7 plastic and then I looked up what the story was on other kinds of plastic.

Well, I had heard enough. I've got enough to worry about without thinking my plastic containers are poisoning me. I already had a Sigg Bottle, but I still had a cupboard of plastic food containers.

I cleared them out of the cupboard for other uses like holding water for paintbrushes and went to Kmart and bought a set of Martha Stewart glass food storage containers.

We use a lot of containers for leftovers and for taking our lunches to work so I got a bunch of different shapes and sizes.

They are kinda heavy but the lids (made of "generally safe" number 4 plastic) seal well. Once again, thank you Martha.

13 comments:

  1. I was just thinking of replacing all of my tupperware as well after one piece developed a funky smell I couldn't get rid of. I can only imagine what else is clinging to it. Yuck!

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  2. The SIGG bottle is proving not to be too safe either (aluminum with a mysterious inner liner). Check out a stainles steel one, like Kleen Kanteen.

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  3. I read about that a long time ago and also reverted to the glass containers. Those pyrex ones, by the way, last forevah! I've had mine for ten years at least. Great thing is at outlet stores you can buy replacement lids and single containers of the sizes you use most. Good excuse to go outlet shopping as any! ;o)

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  4. I too am wary of the Sigg bottle liner, so I use the Kleen Kanteen it works great they also have a sippy cup lid available for babies. I have also converted to the glass containers for storage as well as water in the fridge. They are sometimes hard to comeby but are becoming more available now that awareness on plastic has been raised.

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  5. I've been using glass for a while for anything we microwave, but oy, where will it end.
    Plastics=Cancer.
    Aluminum=Alzheimer's.
    Next, they'll find lead in the glass. What is safe? Cast Iron? We'll have to carry around iron water bottles and storage containers. Can you microwave iron?

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  6. I'm kind of suprised that you don't have a Laptop Lunch or a Mr. Bento or something..You take your lunch so often...

    This is horrible news about the Sigg bottle!

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  7. I have a whole box of Nalgene bottles that I have been using for years now. I think they should offer some kind of refund or credit. I really don't want to have to go out and spend a bunch of money on new ones. Now I am going to get cancer and I don't have a safe water bottle to use. I had felt good about using them because I was helping to save the planet and they were really nice and sturdy bottles. I am really upset by this news. Bummer dude.

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  8. I went through the same feeling last year. I still have a few plastic containers but they are pretty much for holding crafty bits.

    Fair warning, those plastic lids may shrink. One did in the dishwasher and another in the microwave and now we have glass bowls numbers 16 and 17. /sigh

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  9. I am pregnant and have registered for Bispenol A free bottles. Now I just have to switch out my tupperware as well. :)

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  10. As a new mom of a 2-month old baby girl, I have to buy all new baby bottles now. =(

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  11. I read somewhere that if you avoid putting hot beverages or acidic juices into your SIGG bottle there should be no problem with leaching.

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  12. My dad has worked at Nagle for the past 30+ years, my mom worked there previously, and I even worked there for summertime. I grew up on Nalgene bottles (I'm in my 20s) and no one in my family has had cancer, early puberty or any health problems that could possibly be related to the bottles.

    To the poster who suggested they offer refunds - they pulled the bottles off the shelves, I think that is probably enough. By offering a refund to EVERYONE who has bought the bottles ever, the company would go under. My dad might lose his job and the other 900 people in this area might too. I think that is also something to consider.

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  13. anonymous - I just went a checked the Nalgene site and they posted a news article on their front page all about the product pull. I really respect them for that. Looks like they have some new lines that are much safer. I really hope they get through this! I am a fan.

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