Plastic is everywhere—infiltrating the foods we eat and degrading our environment, it’s even been found lingering in the tissue and organs of the human body. Each week, there is a new story about water bottle recalls and the dangerous health impacts of BPA. As consumers, parents and workers, it’s enough to create fear and a sense of helplessness as we try to sort through the noise. How do we keep our family safe? The good news is that there are easy, meaningful changes you can make to reduce the risk. Here are some things you can do right now:
- Stop using plastic to avoid BPAs. It’s the easiest way to limit your exposure to Bisphenol A, otherwise known as BPA, which is present in everything from water bottles to food storage containers. While the FDA indicates that it is safe in small quantities, emerging research has found that BPA exposure is linked to a number of serious health issues, partly because BPA mimics the structure and function of the hormone estrogen. That means BPA can bind to estrogen receptors and influence bodily processes, such as growth, cell repair, fetal development, energy levels, and reproduction. BPA may also be a contributing factor to obesity, metabolic disease and certain cancers. If you must use plastic, check the packaging to see if it is BPA-free. Never warm up food in plastic containers, as any chemicals may leach into food.
- Stop using plastic to avoid microplastics. Water or food that comes from plastic containers, even if they are BPA-free, may contain tiny microplastics. When you drink water from these bottles or consume food from these packages, you are ingesting invisible particles that can find their way into different organs and tissues and linger in the body, possibly forever. There is still so much we do not know about microplastics, but it is clear these particles may have long lasting impacts on your health. For example, emerging research indicates that microplastics are linked to cardiovascular issues and may have an impact on inflammatory bowel disease, among other chronic conditions.
- Switch to a metal or glass water bottle. By now one thing seems clear–it’s time to ditch disposable plastic water bottles. Take it one step further and swap out your reusable plastic water bottle for a safer, more eco-friendly alternative. Reusable plastic water bottles can break down quickly from frequent washing. They are also very difficult to keep clean, making it easier for bacteria to thrive. Switching to metal or glass will not only reduce your risk of exposure to harmful chemicals and other toxins, you will limit the waste you contribute to the environment. An added bonus, these alternative water bottles keep water colder for longer periods of time, making it easy to take on the go.
- Consider the source of your water. While it may seem counterintuitive, bottled water is often no safer or better tasting than regular tap water. And we all know there are a host of separate dangers associated with drinking water from the tap. Your safest source of drinking water is filtered water in a metal or glass container—it’s better for your health and the world we live in.
A water purification system from Michigan Clear Water eliminates all risk of plastic. Our state of the art bottleless water coolers tap directly into your existing water supply and offer the highest level of filtration available, giving your office clean, great tasting water with zero risk of contaminants. As you consider ditching your traditional water cooler with it’s plastic jug or simply want to reduce the costly presence of single use water bottles in your workplace, you can save money and improve health by switching to a state of the art water purification system from Michigan Clear Water. It’s an easy, inexpensive way to protect your employees from what we know–and don’t yet know–about plastic. Most of all, our water tastes AMAZING!
Are you worried about the environmental impact of plastic waste? Are you looking for a partner in the health and wellbeing of your office? Reach out and taste the Michigan Clear Water difference today!