How to Limit Your Exposure

Consumers eager to avoid suspect plastics won't find the going easy. Labeling is not always required for all ingredients. But toxicology experts say taking the following steps can lower possible risk.

- Ranit Mishori, Washington Post

For suspect plastics in general

Avoid placing hot food or liquids in plastic containers. Use glass, ceramic or stainless-steel containers instead. Heating plastics to high temperatures promotes the leaching of chemicals out of containers and into the food or liquid they hold. (Freezing liquids in plastic bottles poses no such risk.)

When heating in a microwave, use only cookware labeled "microwave safe." (Remove food from plastic wrap before thawing or heating in a microwave.)

Buy products in cardboard cartons instead of plastic containers.

Check recycling codes for clues about plastics components you may want to avoid: Recycling code 7 may mean the product contains bisphenol A. Recycling code 3 may indicate DEHA, which belongs to a separate group of chemicals, known as phthalates, that have also raised concerns.

For bisphenol A

Look for "BPA-free" claims on toys, baby bottles and containers. There's been a recent explosion of such products (many priced higher than standard versions).

Reduce use of canned food. Eat fresh or frozen foods. Bisphenol A has been found in the lining of canned food tins.

Avoid polycarbonate and PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plastics, both of which contain BPA. Alternatives include polyethylene plastic (also labeled PETE) and containers marked with recycling code 1, 2 (HDPE) and 4 (LDPE). Polypropylene (recycling code 5, or PP) is also safe.

If you use hard polycarbonate plastics (Nalgene bottles, baby bottles, sippy cups), do not heat or use them for warm or hot liquids.

Do not wash polycarbonate plastic containers in the dishwasher with harsh detergents.

For phthalates

A group of compounds called phthalates has raised concerns similar to those involving BPA.

Look for phthalate-free toys or those approved by the European Union (EU).

Plastic wraps generally should not be heated or placed in a microwave oven. Those that are labeled microwave-safe should be placed loosely over containers. Make sure they do not touch the food.

Avoid synthetic fragrance in personal-care products. While the Food and Drug Administration requires the listing of ingredients on cosmetics sold in retail stores, it does not require the listing of individual fragrance ingredients.

Check nail polish labels. The FDA requires phthalates be listed unless they are a fragrance ingredient. (Some nail polishes contain them to reduce cracking.)