Not sure how many of you follow CDN health news, but the FDA in Canada (finally) declared Bisphenol A (aka BPA) a toxin. It has already been banned in baby bottles here. We have been on the anti-BPA bandwagon since before Bob was born, but it’s nice to see it finally getting some mainstream press.
What is BPA you ask? It is used to harden plastics. But it has been known to leak into the containers contents and leech into its users. It is a synthetic sex hormone (I know, right?)specifically an estrogen disruptor. Scientists studying BPA in animals have found it can cause various health problems such as cancer, diabetes, hyperactivity, obesity, early onset puberty and other reproductive problems. (The studies are very scary. Seen the movie “Children of Men” where the human race can no longer reproduce? Well the studies are so so crazy they make me think of that movie, which PS I still have nightmares about. Do not watch that movie while pregnant, I made that mistake and regularly have visions).
Where is BPA used? Water bottles, food can linings, and kids toys to name a few.
What do we do about it? In our house we drink from stainless steel refillable Klean Kanteens (even come with baby sippy spouts), Bob has wooden cutlery, we buy only enamel lined tin cans or jar our own food and we keep our house 99% plastic toy free. Since Bob’s birth we have filled two HUGE garbage bags full of plastic toys, bottles, soothers and other goods. (And donated them all).
What? You’re denying your kids TOYS?! Nope, no we’re not. We have toys coming out our wazoos! Baskets and baskets of toys. And baskets. Lots of wooden toys and plastic toys that are BPA and phthalate free. There are lots of safe alternatives on the market from companies like PLAN (made from spent rubberwood trees), HABA, Sevi, Selecta.
There are big online retailers like OOMPA.COM & MOOLKA.COM that are almost entirely stocked with non-toxic toys. But even the Finchers in our little town has lots of options. I always figure if I can buy it locally, it’s gotta be readily available in North America!
Hot off the toy press this year are SPRIG TOYS. Kid powered, made from recycled wood & plastic and totally awesome. We have all of the vehicles and Bob loves them. Also on our wish list are the toys from GREEN TOYS – all BPA & phthalate free. Tea set, gardening, sand play and cook set.
And I have to say, all of the toys we have LOOK NICE. Kids toys do become a part of your decor and I would much rather look at some nicely designed car or natural wood drum. Between the aesthetic appeal and lowering my kids risk of developing cancer, I feel they’re worth the extra penny.
Wishing you happy and safe holiday shopping!