Dangers of the Sippy Cup?

I keep hearing about "bad" plastics. Creepy toxic chemicals of unpronounceable words like phthalates and bisphenol-A that leach into food or drink, especially when heated in a microwave or put in a freezer. But even surface scratches in sippy cups and toys can undermine the safety of your family.

What I understand from the science is that these unpronounceable toxics that can end up in our food and drink can lead to elevated estrogen levels. So does what does that mean for my boys? And my girls? ......I can't even go there! Where are these toxic substances found and how can I protect my toddlers from them?

Where are these substances found? In my toddler's sippy cups! And baby bottles! And who knows where else?

I recently found myself examining the mangled top of a pink sippy cup. Teething can really do a number on those spouts. But I have three young children, and plastic is just part of our lives... easy to clean, carry, unbreakable,

So I sat down at the computer and started looking around. What could replace my toxin-leaching, hormone-disrupting sippy cup? Yet also endure the frequent Newtonian gravity tests of a high-spirited two year old?

An email came in from Co-op America (http://www.coopamerica.org/) listserve touting Sigg sippy cups. Clever in design, clean, and not plastic.  Good Mom. I order two. Credit card charge confirmed. Done.....what's this?  another email from Co-op America, someone was reporting that Sigg sippy cups were made with aluminum, possible leaching, etc. (isn't this the Alzheimer's metal? Can't remember.) Best advice is to buy Kleen Kanteen - made from stainless steel, also sporty with sippy cup tops. Good Mom, get out that credit card again (nothing but the best for my brood). Two more sippy cups ordered. Done. Another incoming email from this "helpful" listserve...don't forget, we are boycotting products manufactured in China. Where do they make these Kleen Kanteens? That's right. China..

What's a clean, green urban mom gonna do?

You know, I don't really have the perfect answer. I don't think anyone does. As for me, I am sure that Sigg cups are fine and that Kleen Kateen cups are fine. And I guess the best thing to do is to keep reading and listening to what people are learning as this type of research broadens. And go with what works for me and my family.

Examine sippy cups and see if there are any major scratches or dents, and, if so, attempt to recycle them.	Find a recycling spot that will take your old sippy cups. Many recycling centers don’t take certain of the “bad” plastics like #7. In which case, you could spend the morning thinking of other uses for the cup like a colorful magic maker container or the frame of a paper mache project. I probably would never do that. But I would think about it and think how that might be a good idea!	Write to your local take-out restaurants about using alternative plastic containers either recycled plastic containers or containers that are biodegradable. Maybe suggest some places that they could buy them and what the cost difference is between then and the conventional ones.

In 2006, friends Francesca Olivieri and Susan Gluck Pappajohn started their company, sage baby

Comments (3)

2. 11/15/2007 01:43:43 PM

Target recently announced that it will be eliminating PVC from many of its infant products and is phasing out phthalates from most of their toys next year. Let's hope other retailers are inspired to do the same!

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