Harmful Plastics

There is growing evidence for more concern about PVC or vinyl. This chemical is found in our adhesives, detergents, lubricating oils, solvents, automotive plastics, plastic clothing, personal-care products (such as soap, shampoo, deodorants, fragrances, hair spray, nail polish), as well as toys and building materials. PVC leaches through it's products into our bodies causing concerns of cancer. One of the main concerns of this product is it's ability to replicate estrogen in our bodies. Too much estrogen has been shown to cause breast cancer, reproductive issues and many other issues especially for women. Another confirmed carcinogen is vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), as a result, advocacy groups, including Greenpeace, Children's Health and Environmental Coalition (CHEC) and the U.S.-based Center for Health, Environment and Justice (CHEJ) have called for a restriction or prohibition of PVC in consumer products including toys, building materials and packaging.

QUICK TIPS from CBC news

Choose refillable containers. Glass, for example, can be re-used for food storage. Choose packaging that's made from truly recyclable materials: paper, glass, metal cans. (Purchasing recycled paper products completes the recycling loop, too.) Buy in bulk, whenever possible. It's the least-packaged option. For wrapped foods, choose butcher paper, waxed paper or cellulose bags. Bring cloth bags when you go shopping, rather than using PVC-based plastic bags. Choose things made from #1 (PETE) or #2 (HDPE) whenever plastic cannot be avoided. These are the most commonly recycled plastics. Avoid plastics that aren't readily recyclable: #3 (PVC), #4 (LDPE), #5 (PP), #6 (PS), #7 (often polycarbonate). Avoid single-use, disposable packaging. Bring your own non-plastic container to salad bars, yogurt shops, etc. — any place you'd otherwise be served food in plastic containers. Avoid plastic cutlery and dinnerware. Use stainless steel utensils and look for recycled paper products. Microwave foods and drinks in oven-proof glass or ceramic dishes with lids. Never let plastic wrap touch food while in the microwave, as this is one way chemicals are suspected of leaching from plastic into food. When purchasing cling-wrapped foods from the supermarket or deli, slice off a thin layer where the food came into contact with the plastic and store the rest in a glass or ceramic container, or in non-PVC cling wrap. Information gathered from CBC News, on dangers of PVC plastics in our toys, cleaning products and lubricating oils http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/consumers/plastic.html