<![CDATA[Grist - Comment Feed for Umbra on plastic and kids]]> Grist Comment Feed en Comment #1 by knitrat http://www.grist.org/article/plastics-n-kids/ Mon, 02 Apr 2007 03:50:30 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/plastics-n-kids/1 other options

No rugrats in my life yet, but if/when it happens they will be drinking out of these:

http://www.triballife.net/store/index.php?main_page=produ ...

]]> other options

No rugrats in my life yet, but if/when it happens they will be drinking out of these:

http://www.triballife.net/store/index.php?main_page=produ ...

]]> Comment #2 by maryrushing http://www.grist.org/article/plastics-n-kids/ Mon, 02 Apr 2007 06:24:54 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/plastics-n-kids/2 Toxins in Canned Baby Foods

"Canned foods found to contain dangerously high level of toxic chemical bisphenol-A (BPA)"
http://www.newstarget.com/021761.html

]]> Toxins in Canned Baby Foods

"Canned foods found to contain dangerously high level of toxic chemical bisphenol-A (BPA)"
http://www.newstarget.com/021761.html

]]> Comment #3 by sarahbei http://www.grist.org/article/plastics-n-kids/ Mon, 02 Apr 2007 07:05:27 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/plastics-n-kids/3 toxins in plastics

I'm no expert, but I believe that all of these toxins are fat-soluble (thus their persistency in tissues).  And guess when the ONLY time you excrete fat is?  Yup, you guessed it: breastfeeding.  

]]> toxins in plastics

I'm no expert, but I believe that all of these toxins are fat-soluble (thus their persistency in tissues).  And guess when the ONLY time you excrete fat is?  Yup, you guessed it: breastfeeding.  

]]> Comment #4 by kcopas http://www.grist.org/article/plastics-n-kids/ Mon, 02 Apr 2007 09:27:34 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/plastics-n-kids/4 Bisphenol A as "obesegen"

Another emergent thread of research involves Bisphenol A's role as an "obesegen" -- an endocrine disruptor that may be contributing to (dare I say "feeding") America's obesity epidemic. A few links here:
http://del.icio.us/kylecopas/obesegens

Nothing like getting the kids started off on the right foot...


]]> Bisphenol A as "obesegen"

Another emergent thread of research involves Bisphenol A's role as an "obesegen" -- an endocrine disruptor that may be contributing to (dare I say "feeding") America's obesity epidemic. A few links here:
http://del.icio.us/kylecopas/obesegens

Nothing like getting the kids started off on the right foot...


]]> Comment #5 by edouble12 http://www.grist.org/article/plastics-n-kids/ Mon, 02 Apr 2007 10:35:12 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/plastics-n-kids/5 Getting involved

     I am a student and recently have taken a transformation from jock athlete to Mr. Sustainability. I have a job training professional athletes but it just is not as satisfying to me as helping to make the world a better place.
    I am looking to get involved this summer by doing research or working in the field doing an internship. I love science. I am a very active guy and can't be bogged down in an office all day. I am a hard worker and never complain.
    Any ideas of organizations to look into? Job listings? Any guidence as to a good start in the field would be would be much appreciated.
    Thanks


]]> Getting involved

     I am a student and recently have taken a transformation from jock athlete to Mr. Sustainability. I have a job training professional athletes but it just is not as satisfying to me as helping to make the world a better place.
    I am looking to get involved this summer by doing research or working in the field doing an internship. I love science. I am a very active guy and can't be bogged down in an office all day. I am a hard worker and never complain.
    Any ideas of organizations to look into? Job listings? Any guidence as to a good start in the field would be would be much appreciated.
    Thanks


]]> Comment #6 by holmbere http://www.grist.org/article/plastics-n-kids/ Mon, 02 Apr 2007 22:10:23 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/plastics-n-kids/6 Melamine?

I have a melamine sippy cup that I bought as an alternative to the polycarbonate sippy cups, but can't find any info on where melamine falls on the safety spectrum.  There just doesn't seem to be any info out there on this type of plastic, and it is widely used in kid-friendly dinnerware.

Any resources people have would be most welcome!

]]> Melamine?

I have a melamine sippy cup that I bought as an alternative to the polycarbonate sippy cups, but can't find any info on where melamine falls on the safety spectrum.  There just doesn't seem to be any info out there on this type of plastic, and it is widely used in kid-friendly dinnerware.

Any resources people have would be most welcome!

]]> Comment #7 by Greta http://www.grist.org/article/plastics-n-kids/ Tue, 03 Apr 2007 01:38:08 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/plastics-n-kids/7 Melamine

Considering that it is killing 4-legged children, right and left, I would look for a better alternative.

]]> Melamine

Considering that it is killing 4-legged children, right and left, I would look for a better alternative.

]]> Comment #8 by donnat http://www.grist.org/article/plastics-n-kids/ Tue, 03 Apr 2007 01:57:23 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/plastics-n-kids/8 BPA/not-so-organic tomatoes

Was sad but not surprised to call Muir Glen re: their organic tomato products and find, yep, their cans are lined with BPA...(and their consumer affairs person can read quite a lengthy and prestigious list of endorsements and assurances of safety)http://www.muirglen.com/about.aspx

]]> BPA/not-so-organic tomatoes

Was sad but not surprised to call Muir Glen re: their organic tomato products and find, yep, their cans are lined with BPA...(and their consumer affairs person can read quite a lengthy and prestigious list of endorsements and assurances of safety)http://www.muirglen.com/about.aspx

]]> Comment #9 by 7wattbulb http://www.grist.org/article/plastics-n-kids/ Wed, 04 Apr 2007 03:19:59 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/plastics-n-kids/9 Melamine

Can you explain?

]]> Melamine

Can you explain?

]]> Comment #10 by radrerun http://www.grist.org/article/plastics-n-kids/ Wed, 04 Apr 2007 04:34:44 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/plastics-n-kids/10 You forgot something...

Good sleuthing, Umbra, but there's a glaring omission from this post and the one on sippy cups: GLASS!

People could just use glass containers that they've bought drinks in that have the screw-on cap.  I don't know how harmful the cap is, but the glass obviously doesn't leach.

I've used Fuze and Bionaturae bottles for my water, before my roommates accidentally recycled them.

Give glass a try and that way you're not only NOT getting bisphenol-A, but you're also doing one of the 3 Rs: reusing!

]]> You forgot something...

Good sleuthing, Umbra, but there's a glaring omission from this post and the one on sippy cups: GLASS!

People could just use glass containers that they've bought drinks in that have the screw-on cap.  I don't know how harmful the cap is, but the glass obviously doesn't leach.

I've used Fuze and Bionaturae bottles for my water, before my roommates accidentally recycled them.

Give glass a try and that way you're not only NOT getting bisphenol-A, but you're also doing one of the 3 Rs: reusing!

]]> Comment #11 by Sean Jones http://www.grist.org/article/plastics-n-kids/ Sat, 07 Apr 2007 00:19:44 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/plastics-n-kids/11 Glass usage - the terrible trade-offs

In Europe they did a study on the use of glass drinking bottles vs. the use of plastic (of course I cannot find the study now) using life cycle analysis (LCA).  At issue was the German beverage industry not allowing French companies use of plastic water bottles.  A report was done on the 'overall' eco-efficiency of plastic bottles vs. glass and plastic.  The driver of this is the increased weight and fuel usage for glass bottles.

This analysis was done for Coke when they switched from glass to plastic too.  Glass can be rewashed, reused and does not leach chemicals but the water usage and increased fuel usage make it worse in that analysis.

Of course LCA is an art in trade-offs of all materials used, not just energy or petroleum products.  Here is a blog with some thoughtful comments.

http://blog.turningtheship.com/?p=33

]]> Glass usage - the terrible trade-offs

In Europe they did a study on the use of glass drinking bottles vs. the use of plastic (of course I cannot find the study now) using life cycle analysis (LCA).  At issue was the German beverage industry not allowing French companies use of plastic water bottles.  A report was done on the 'overall' eco-efficiency of plastic bottles vs. glass and plastic.  The driver of this is the increased weight and fuel usage for glass bottles.

This analysis was done for Coke when they switched from glass to plastic too.  Glass can be rewashed, reused and does not leach chemicals but the water usage and increased fuel usage make it worse in that analysis.

Of course LCA is an art in trade-offs of all materials used, not just energy or petroleum products.  Here is a blog with some thoughtful comments.

http://blog.turningtheship.com/?p=33

]]> Comment #12 by holmbere http://www.grist.org/article/plastics-n-kids/ Mon, 09 Apr 2007 21:28:14 -0700 http://www.grist.org/article/plastics-n-kids/12 Melamine

The other writer is referring to the melamine contamination in pet food that led to many cats (and possibly some dogs) dying of renal failure (and to a massive pet food recall).

And I can see what they mean, except that presumably the melamine contamination of the wheat gluten was at a far greater dose than what would leach out of plates and cups etc.  But perhaps that is naive of me...  I will continue the search for a safe sippy cup!

]]> Melamine

The other writer is referring to the melamine contamination in pet food that led to many cats (and possibly some dogs) dying of renal failure (and to a massive pet food recall).

And I can see what they mean, except that presumably the melamine contamination of the wheat gluten was at a far greater dose than what would leach out of plates and cups etc.  But perhaps that is naive of me...  I will continue the search for a safe sippy cup!

]]>