In a recent article, I dove deep into the horrors of BPA found in many plastics. As mentioned there, BPA-free plastics are not necessarily any better. Here you’ll see why that is.
While eliminating BPA from many plastics is a good thing, it is not the complete picture. Far from it.
BPA is the hot kid on the scene that is getting popular. We (aka human beings in general) get our hooks on one thing and think that is everything.
Sadly, it is not. Here’s why…
Other Bisphenols are Just as Bad
Once the shit hit the fan with BPA, most plastic manufacturers simply replaced it with Bisphenol S (BPS), Bisphenol F (BPF) or the bunch of other bisphenols. Wikipedia lists 14 other types. As you can imagine, there aren’t a lot of differences here.
A review of the research on the two new most common of these states:
“We identified the body of literature-to-date, consisting of 32 studies (25 in vitro only,and seven in vivo). The majority of these studies examined the hormonal activities of BPS and BPF and found their potency to be in the same order of magnitude and of similar action to BPA (estrogenic, anti-estrogenic, androgenic, and anti-androgenic) in vitro and in vivo… BPS and BPF are as hormonally active as BPA, and have endocrine disrupting effects” [1]
If you remember in the previous article we talked about how thermal paper, what sales receipts are made of, have BPA which can readily enter your skin. Some people have taken note and switched to BPA-free receipts. Unfortunately, these are made with BPS instead.
BPS and BPF are found in food containers and thus foods themselves. They’re also in skin care products, in water and in indoor dust. BPF has been found in 55% of human urine sampled, and BPS in 78%. Meanwhile BPA was found in 95% of samples. These replacements seem to need some time to catch-up.
The FDA finally banned BPA from baby bottles and sippy cups in 2012, but not from any other product. Was this really a win?
Plastics testing company CertiChem looked at 455 products. 72% of them, including those that were BPA-free, leached xeno-estrogenic chemicals. [2] They wrote:
“Almost all commercially available plastic products we sampled—independent of the type of resin, product, or retail source—leached chemicals having reliably detectable EA [estrogenic activity], including those advertised as BPA free. In some cases, BPA-free products released chemicals having more EA than did BPA-containing products.”
This included the fact that EVERY type of plastic used in food packaging was estrogenic.
That means the baby bottles and sippy cups are just as poisonous to developing infants.
All of this is covered up by industry-led (*cough* bought) “science” to say no it isn’t a problem.
Why Bisphenols are a Big, Hidden Problem
Most people…and that means companies too…are not aware these were simply replaced. Until I stumbled on this research I had no clue.
Here’s a personal example. Years ago, I made the choice to buy the more expensive organic coconut milk from brands that said BPA-free because of my awareness of it’s dangers.
Thai Kitchen, probably the most popular brand, does not advertise that it’s cans were BPA-free so they were out.
I noticed two other brands did have BPA-free. But what about the other bisphenols? While writing this article I dug deeper.
BPA Free Cans from Native Forest and Natural Value, but what about the other Bisphenols…
Native Forest – From their website, “We direct our packing facilities to select cans with no detectable levels of BPA. While some packaging suppliers offer what they describe as BPA-free cans, we perform independent tests to validate their claims.”
That’s great, that they do independent testing, but they make no mention of BPS, BPF or any other bisphenols. Therefore…who knows? The owners of that company probably aren’t aware of this research.
Natural Value – From their website, “Please be advised none of the alternative coatings to BPA-based epoxy coatings from [Our can supplier] are formulated with BPF, BPS or any other structural analog to BPA.”
To be honest I was surprised! This is the first time I’ve even see other bisphenols mentioned by any food company. Sure, it’s tucked away deep on the website, but that’s great news!
So moving forward, when I buy coconut milk I know who I am going with.
But the bisphenols aren’t the only issue with plastics. Then you have…
Phthalates – The Anti-Androgen
Phthalates are used as platicizers, things that make plastics more flexible, transparent, durable and longer lasting, most notably in various types of PVC. One of the most common, as measured in blood or urine, is di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP).
Back in 2008, Congress passed a law banning six types of phthalates in children’s products. However, these phthalates are still in use elsewhere. And, just like the biphenols, there are other phthalates in use.
Unlike many others, these chemicals are not specifically estrogenic, but instead are directly anti-androgenic, suppressing the creation of the androgenic hormones like testosterone. [3]
In a recent study pthalates were linked to 20% reduction in male fertility in humans. [4]
A review found that, “Studies in human and animal populations suggest a correlation between phthalate exposure and adverse health outcomes, particularly at the reproductive and cardiovascular systems.” [5]
Overall, there is quite a bit less research on these then BPA, but there is enough to warrant action. “Epidemiological and in vitro studies generally converge sufficiently to conclude that phthalate anti-androgenicity is plausible in adult men.” [6]
Phthalates are even connected to autism.[7]
Once again, these things don’t just affect babies and children. They affect you.
We’re not done. There are other endocrine disrupting chemicals in plastics besides bisphenols and phthalates. Some of them contain flame retardants like polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE’s) or other similar chemicals.
In the USA, chemicals are deemed safe until proven otherwise. This policy is responsible for what we have just covered. Unfortunately, despite the fact that we’re screwing the environment and ourselves up, it’s not likely to change anytime soon.
And that’s the things we know about. Who knows about the things that are inside plastics and other goods that we’re not even aware of.
What You Can Do with Plastics
This makes me angry because it is hard on all of us.
Here’s another food product I had on hand while writing this article. Some great fermented kim chi by Sinto Gourmet!
If you can’t read that it says, “With far fewer resources to produce, package and transport, this pouch dramatically reduces our carbon footprint. And it keeps Kimpchi safe to eat since all material is free of BPA and Phthalates.”
The good news is they are BPA and phthalate free. The bad news is still leaves room for error. I contacted them via their website since they do not have the topic written about there. As of yet I have not heard back.
I get it, it’s harder to ship. The energy that goes into producing and shipping things is a factor. But personally, I wish this came in glass instead. Chances are if I see options, other brands in the store that do come in glass I will get them instead. Or perhaps I just need to get back to making my own sauerkraut and kim chi.
In Slow Death By Rubber Duck, by Rick Smith and Bruce Lourie, they also talk about the dangers of phthlates, along with many other chemicals. He describes another case of the difficulties we have in making buying choices.
“During the writing of this chapter, I took a late-night run to our local supermarket for a handful of items for the kids: milk, bananas, ketchup…I stood blinking-staring-at the ketchup selection, honestly perplexed.
- The organic kethcup came in a plastic bottle.
- Aylmer ketchup, an old Canadian brand made from locally grown tomatoes, also came in plastic.
- The only option in a glass bottle was the non-organic, non-local Heinz ketchup.
What to do? The two choices that were either lower in pesticides, or, by virtue of being local, easier on the carbon emissions, were undoubtedly higher in plasticizer chemicals…I was suffering from ketchup-option paralysis.”
I point you back to the BPA article that has a list of things you can take action on. Short answer is avoid ALL plastics as much as possible, but even then you have difficulties like these.
Like with our herbs. Shipping your jars would increase cost and breakage so its not a great solution, so it’s plastic bags for now, though we’re working on better solutions. But the herbs themselves are a better option than no herb, even if it is housed in plastic. Still we recommend you move them into a jar once they arrive at your home.
The other thing is to make sure your body is in great shape to detox these chemicals since we can’t completely avoid them. As covered in the previous article, the steps to that include:
- Support your detoxification channels. In addition to minimizing exposure, make sure your digestion, kidneys, liver, and skin are all working to detoxify best. Fast regularly. Make sure your nutrition is adequate to allow detoxification to run well.
- Sweat regularly. An infrared sauna is best.
- Clean up your environment. Get in nature. Get better quality water. Get better quality air. Get better quality food.
- Take supportive herbs and supplements. Pine pollen appears to not only aid in testosterone but seems to do some fighting against endocrine disruption via multiple channels. Schisandra is an adaptogen that supports liver detox. Shilajit is rich in fulvic and humic acids, known to pull out heavy metals, and who knows what else, while also being loaded with trace minerals. Chaga protects your DNA. And on and on I could go.
They say “Ignorance is bliss.” While these facts may be scary I would rather know about these things than not, and I hope you feel the same way too.
References:
- Rochester, J. R., & Bolden, A. L. (2015). Bisphenol S and F: A Systematic Review and Comparison of the Hormonal Activity of Bisphenol A Substitutes. Environmental Health Perspectives.
- Chun Z. Yang, Stuart I. Yaniger, V. Craig Jordan, Daniel J. Klein, George D. Bittner. Most Plastic Products Release Estrogenic Chemicals: A Potential Health Problem That Can Be Solved. Environ Health Perspect 119:989-996 (2011)
- Fisher, J. S. (2004). Environmental anti-androgens and male reproductive health: focus on phthalates and testicular dysgenesis syndrome. Reproduction, 127(3), 305-315.
- Albert, O.; Jegou, B. (2013). “A critical assessment of the endocrine susceptibility of the human testis to phthalates from fetal life to adulthood”. Human Reproduction Update. 20 (2): 231–49.
- Mariana, M., Feiteiro, J., Verde, I., & Cairrao, E. (2016). The effects of phthalates in the cardiovascular and reproductive systems: A review. Environment International, 94, 758-776.
- Albert, O.; Jegou, B. (2013). “A critical assessment of the endocrine susceptibility of the human testis to phthalates from fetal life to adulthood”. Human Reproduction Update. 20 (2): 231–49.
- Jeddi, M. Z., Janani, L., Memari, A. H., Akhondzadeh, S., & Yunesian, M. (2016). The role of phthalate esters in autism development: A systematic review. Environmental Research, 151, 493-504.
- What to do about Unbearable Tastes? - May 26, 2023
- Don’t Buy Supplements on Amazon - May 12, 2023
- Reversing BPA Toxicity with Cistanche - May 3, 2023
Lost Empire Herbs
It is truly a sad day for us all when it requires in depth research and constant vigilance to simply find food fit to eat. However, that being the reality, knowledge is power and vitally important if we wish to protect ourselves and our loved ones. So I would like to say a big thank you to Logan. Keep helping folks to arm themselves with knowledge, in this case, more is better.
You’re welcome and will do.
Logan, was reading about the BPA’s and other “plasticizers” and honestly it’s scary as hell what our government allows to be done to us. But I had a thought about your packaging, is there a possibility of some type of hemp product for the product pouches ? Don’t really know how pricey it might be.
Powerful post Logan! The abundance of harmful chemicals in our environment is frightening but we must live a healthy life to combat the challenges. Thanks for the quality herbs!