Common household plastics linked to thousands of global deaths from heart disease, study finds | CNN
amp.cnn.com
Phthalates, which are found in cosmetics, food packaging and other common household plastics, are linked to early death from heart disease, a new study said.

Action item at the end:

“Avoid plastics as much as you can. Reducing your use of ultraprocessed foods can reduce the levels of the chemical exposures you come in contact with,” Trasande said. “Never put plastic containers in the microwave or dishwasher, where the heat can break down the linings so they might be absorbed more readily.”

Here are other tips to reduce exposure:

· Use unscented lotions and laundry detergents.

· Use cleaning supplies without scents.

· Use glass, stainless steel, ceramic or wood to hold and store foods.

· Buy fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables instead of canned and processed versions.

· Encourage frequent handwashing to remove chemicals from hands.

· Avoid air fresheners and all plastics labeled as No. 3, No. 6 and No. 7.

  • AmbiguousPropsEnglish
    15·
    2 days ago

    I would love to avoid plastic, but it seems inevitable that I’ll consume or inhale it in some way. It’s probably contaminating my drugs which come in plastic, I likely breathe it in while driving, it’s in a lot of clothing these days (even if I wore all cotton, people around me still would likely have it on them), and any time I eat out, something in my food will absolutely come out of plastic in some way.

    We should never have allowed oil companies do this to us and our planet. It’s too late now, and we’ll be dealing with the consequences for generations.

    • Ashelyn@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
      12·
      2 days ago

      While it’s true that there’s no escaping it entirely, reducing your average daily intake through means you can control is generally worthwhile, especially if there are some easy options available to you personally. It’s the same with lots of unhealthy things in life; it’s not all or nothing, it’s a spectrum of risk.

    • AA5B@lemmy.worldEnglish
      6·
      2 days ago

      While it’s inescapable, that’s not a reason to give up hope. We’ve been mostly fine so far with some plastic, but like everything else it’s the lack of moderation that will kill us. Think of it more as an exposure level, and yes you can make a difference in your life.

      I believe I’ve made a difference over the last few years

      • replace teflon pans with cast iron and stainless steel
      • replace worn plastic food storage with glass
      • replace worn plastic cutting boards with bamboo
      • replace plastic utensils with silicone or stainless steel
      • replace plastic water bottles with stainless steel
      • go back to cotton for some clothing
      • greatly reduce ultraprocessed food - do more of my own cooking
      • currently getting wet because I need a new rain jacket but have been looking for one without PFOA or similar

      It’s only a start, but it’s under my control, does make a difference, and doesn’t really cost much money or inconvenience. It was many small changes over years, a lot of it timed for when I needed to replace stuff anyway. If everyone did this, we’d make even bigger differences by cutting back contamination from manufacturing so much

      For example chicken tenderloins are similar convenience to chicken strips, but they’re just chicken

      • relative@lemmy.worldEnglish
        3·
        1 day ago

        For rain jackets, I’ve been looking at replacements that you periodically treat with wax