Life Without Plastic Blog

Plastics and Breast Cancer

Plastics can cause or contribute to breast cancer. Our dear friend Janet has breast cancer and we can't help but wonder if some plastic chemicals have played a role in the development of her disease. When she was first diagnosed, she had stage 3 breast cancer in 2005 and was still breastfeeding her 6 month old son.  Stage 3 means that although her cancer had not spread to other organs, some cancerous cells had been found in her lymph nodes.  She immediately had her right breast surgically removed and started chemotherapy. Two years later, her cancer progressed to stage 4 when metastases were found in her lungs. After treatment her cancer went into short remission and then last summer, a tumour was found in her brain. As she puts it, she "tripled" her prognosis and one year later leads a very full and active life. She continues to be very involved on the advocacy front, trying to help traditional medicine embrace a more holistic approach toward cancer.

Chantal and Janet the day after her wedding in December 2007

We are writing all this to bring attention to the fact that plastics - for example, bisphenol A (BPA) - have been associated with breast cancer. More research needs to be done on the links between chemicals found in products available at your local grocery store, but some university programs, such as Cornell University program on the Cancer Risks of Environmental Chemicals in the Home and Workplace which ended on March 31, 2010, are closing apparently because of a lack of funding. Increased awareness of the issue, means increased funding.

Please take a look at the video posted on http://envirocancer.cornell.edu/research/endocrine/videos/plastics.cfm and consider offering a donation to one of the two following charities that were suggested to us by Janet:

IN CANADA: http://rethinkbreastcancer.com/

IN USA: http://nosurrenderbreastcancerhelp.org/index.html

Chantal Plamondon & Jay Sinha, Owners
LifeWithoutPlastic.com

TOXIC AMERICA on CNN with Dr. Sanjay Gupta: The chemicals that surround us...

CNN is about to premiere a feature special called Toxic America focusing on the toxic chemicals that surround us in everyday life, whether we realize it or not. The show will be hosted by Dr. Sanjay Gupta over two nights (June 2 and 3, at 8pm EST and PST) and will in large part focus on the health and environmental effects of toxins found in plastics. Here's a little video promo of the series.

As explained on the website of the Center for Health, Environment and Justice, Night #1 (Wednesday) will be an "hour-long investigative story into the environmental health and justice problems plaguing the community of Mossville, Louisiana. Nestled amidst an alarming cluster of chemical plants, Mossville is home to more PVC chemical plants than anywhere else in the entire country, and has been dubbed the Vinyl Manufacturing Capital of America."

Night #2 (Thursday) will deal with the effects of "hidden toxins" in all of us, particularly expectant mothers and their babies. It will also feature a profile on Jeanne Heagle, who has been living plastic-free for over 2 and 1/2 years. This investigative series links well with the stunning book we have talked about often in the past: Slow Death by Rubber Duck.

Here are some other pieces of info CNN is highlighting in relation to the Toxic America series:

The Produce "Dirty Dozen"
If you're eating non-organic celery today, you may be ingesting 67 pesticides with it, according to a new report from the Environmental Working Group - Sanjay Gupta explains how to avoid these chemical residues.

Five Toxics That Are Everywhere: Protect Yourself
A growing body of research is linking five chemicals -- among the most common in the world -- to a host of ailments, including cancer, sexual problems and behavioral issues.  The chemicals, many of which are found in plastics, are: bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA or C8), formaldehyde, polybrominated diethyl ethers.

Toxic Releases, State-by-State
Check out this interactive map indicating where U.S. states rank in toxic releases. As you will see, the chemicals are in the air all over the United States - and it's not difficult to extrapolate these findings to Canada and the rest of the world, where such chemicals are also produced and used:  benzene, dioxin, lead and lead compounds, mercury and mercury compounds, trichloroethylene.

It is encouraging to see that the mainstream media is finally picking up this story. It is so important that everyone understand that for decades the chemical industry has been producing and releasing dangerous chemicals for use in everyday products, without really knowing the potential health and environmental effects of these toxins. It is a global experiment that has been happening with all living beings as the test subjects. Of course, informed consent has never been an option. It is time for corporations (and the government bodies that regulate them) to take full responsibility for their actions - or inaction.

Jay Sinha, Co-Owner
LifeWithoutPlastic.com

A Plastic Hummer or a Plant-based Prius?

My 6-year old son is passionate about cars, trucks, tractors...essentially anything with motors and wheels.  The bigger the better.  He likes to taunt me by threatening that when he grows up he's going to get a 'plastic Hummer'.  Yikes, not what an ecologically minded parent running a plastic alternatives business loves to hear from his progeny.  But my son likes the Toyota Prius too, and is fascinated by the hybrid concept and the idea that one day soon we'll be able to just plug in our car.  Now I can't wait to tell him about the 2009 Prius, which incorporates various types of 'ecological plastics' throughout the car.  Toyota aims to have these materials eventually make up about 60% of the cars interior.  

I have yet to do the research on all these 'ecological plastics' - which include polylactic acid, plant-derived polyester, kenaf fibre and polyol, which is derived from castor oil - but they appear to be a move in the right direction.  I'm curious to hear what my son thinks.  He is open to compromise.  He intends to run his Hummer on biodiesel.

-Jay

Help Stop Plastic in the Sea - Support the Algalita JUNKride

It outnumbers surface plankton by 6 to 1 in parts of the world's oceans, including the North Pacific.  It suffocates sea turtles from the inside out after they have ingested it thinking it is food.  It releases numerous toxic synthetic chemicals into the oceans.  Yes, plastic. 

If plastic pollution in the oceans is an issue that interests you or one you don't know anything about, I would strongly suggest checking out the website of the Algalita Marine Research Foundation based in Long Beach, California.  The innovative studies being done by Captain Charles Moore and his committed team place them at the vanguard of marine pollution research - and the results they regularly document are alarmingly eye-opening. 

And now some Algalita staff are going to new lengths to raise awareness about the ocean pollution problem... here are some details from the Algalita website:  Traveling by bicycle, Marcus Eriksen and Anna Cummins will make their way from Vancouver, Canada to Tijuana, Mexico.  Along the 2000 mile coastal route samples of plastic debris collected from the NPSG will be given to legislators, educators and organizations--sharing Algalita’s research and education programs with 1000's of people.  The 10 week cycling/speaking tour will begin on April 4th and end on June 25th 2009.

Visit www.junkraft.com for the official calendar of JUNKride. Help support the project by sharing information about this project or donating to the project today!

- Jay