It is time we cut down on plastic

Shinjini Saha, INN/Gwalior, @Infodeaofficial 

It is time we reduce using plastic considering the damage it is already doing to our environment. But, environment is not the only reason why plastic should be done away. The most commonly used material has to be done away keeping in mind the hazards it can cause to our health. 

Plastics are said to contain Bisphenol A (BPA) and dioxins. When plastics come in contact with hot food or frozen food or are reused or even scratched again and again, then these chemicals from plastics leach into food or drink and turn them into carcinogenic product.

BPA is a weak synthetic estrogen. Its estrogen-like activity makes it a hormone disruptor. Hormone disruptors can affect how hormones act in the body, by blocking them or mimicking them, which throws off the body’s hormonal balance.

Because estrogen can make hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer develop and grow. BPA also seems to affect brain development in the womb. 

Experts in healthcare say simple preventive measures can bring down exposure to BPA and cut down risks to health like reducing usage of plastic as far as possible. We can utilise glass or ceramic waterbottles for carrying water. Similarly, we can avoid cooking food in plastic containers. Prevention is always better than cure.