Believers in Glass calls for healthy packaging and storage

In a world where plastic is omnipresent, the public should reflect on safe and healthy packaging of food, drinks and medicine as research has cautioned that plastic leaches dangerous chemicals that disrupts human body, while the situation is alarming in Sri Lanka, a movement to improve glass usage said.

Believers in Glass, a social movement which promotes the use of glass for packaging and storing of food instead of other materials yesterday held a press conference in Colombo insisting the need to take action over this looming health epidemic in the country.

Besides personal health; there are also environmental reasons to use glass as against other forms of packaging as it has the capability to withstand extreme heat and cold, enabling glass to prevent any reaction with the contents it holds, while maintaining its freshness and durability.

It was pointed that research has now proven that even the safest of safe plastic like bisphenol A (BPA), leaches dangerous chemicals and there is no such thing as safe plastics, Global study now has established it without doubt, that no plastic is safe for Human exposure.

“Plastics and their additives are not just around us, they are inside virtually every one of us— present in our blood and urine in measurable amounts, ingested with the food we eat, the water we drink and other sources. While the potential harmful effects of such toxins and chemicals could fill a chapter, it is time for us to demand our right to choose a safe packaging that is glass,” Toxicology and National Poison Information Center Head of Department Dr. Waruna Gunathillaka said.

He noted that without realising that packaging, storing which is responsible for various health problems from cancer, diabetes, infertility, miscarriage, birth defects to asthma – the public carry water or store water in plastic for long, as plastic in the bottles leach chemicals into the water, thus poisoning it.

Further Dr. Gunathillaka explained that in this world where plastic is omnipresent, it was timely that the society need to wake up over this looming health epidemic.

Professor of Medicine and Consultant Physician Prof. Kolith Sellahewa highlighted that women (in the reproductive age group) and children consuming this potion out of such bottles could have impaired immune development, loss of pregnancy, pre- term birth, low birth weight and congenital defects in the child which could manifest in later life.

“Most serious proven impact is 78% increased risk of breast cancer cells and a rise in hormone dependent cancers like prostrate and breast cancer,” he added.

Citing an example he also said that glass has helps to maintain the aroma, flavour and freshness of food and does not negatively affect its contents in any way. It is perfect for the long-term preservation of food in its original state.

Professor of Surgery, Consultant Genitourinary Surgeon Prof. Neville D. Perera said globally there have been an increase in male reproductive disorders and a significant rise in incidence of genital abnormalities in new born babies, approximately a threefold increase in the last 40 years.

“Many investigators link this sudden increase to chemical exposures in the environment which interfere with the sex hormones during development and sex differentiation, which happens during eight-12 weeks of foetal development,” he explained.

Exposure to Endocrine Disruptor Chemicals (EDCs) during the first trimester significantly increases these chances. These EDC’s, such as phthalates and bisphenol-A are widely used in plastic bottles, vinyl floors, food wrappers, medical products, and toys, he said.

“It is time that we wake up to the environmental hazards which we face. Possible steps would be to institute a ban on production of chemicals which lead to such severe disorders,” Prof.Perera pointed out.

He stressed the fact that as professionals they would not hesitate to caution general public if these products contain toxics that are harmful to the body.

It was explained that oestrogen disruptors mimic and interfere with the action of oestrogen–a hormone that helps us develop when we’re young and eventually reproduce. These leached chemicals have been widely detected in blood, urine, amniotic fluid and breast milk, and have been found in nearly all adults and children who have been tested.

For these multiple reasons, scientists are concerned about its effects on foetuses, infants, and children at current exposure levels, and whether it can affect the prostate, brain, testicles, breasts, and behaviour. Studies suggest that the more a baby is exposed to oestrogen while in the womb, the greater the risk of breast, testicular and prostate cancer later in life.

College of Paediatricians President Dr. Lakkumar Fernando said the effects of the exposure are, seen in children, but the major problem is that in utero exposure, as a dose of these disrupting chemicals can do substantial damage to a developing foetus, causing problems of sexual male organ development, and the dangerous aspect is that this impact can be seen in the next generation as it impacts our genes.

“Some of the common problems of concerns are learning disabilities, severe attention deficit disorder cognitive and brain development problems, deformations of the body (including limbs); sexual development problems, feminising of males or masculine effects on females,” he pointed out.

Noting that practically everyone is affected by plastic or PET bottles, Senior Lecturer, Consultant Gynaecologist and Obstetrician Dr. Suranga Hettipathirana said that the usage of these products may have long-term medical consequences on women, especially during the growing up years and pregnancy.

He said the release of BPA and additives like diethylhexyl phthalate can blend with the contents of the bottle and lead to health issues such as impaired immune development, increased miscarriage rate and pre-term birth. BPA acts as false oestrogen and can cause chromosomal abnormalities, birth defects and developmental disabilities in childhood.

“Its exposure is also linked to hyperactivity disorders and aggression in young girls, based on these facts on the principle of safety first principle RCOG and American Society of Reproductive Medicine and International Federation of Fertility Societies has also requested the Government of US for a similar action,” he added.

Institute of Chemistry Ceylon Secretary Dr. A.A.P Keerthi said according to a study done in Sri Lanka it was discovered that the levels of harmful toxic heavy material were significantly higher than that of permissible levels; noting that the general public are consuming nothing less than poison.

“This problem is compounded as we do not have proper cold chain and storage across the country,” he added.

Believers in Glass said a used glass bottle can always be recycled into a new one, because glass is 100% recyclable. Every ton of glass that is recycled saves more than a ton of the raw materials needed to create new glass. This proves that glass is very respectful of our environment, reducing landfills and saves energy.

“We believe that the best option is to use the safest of safe packaging and that glass should be available for everyone. For the last year we are relentlessly working towards creating awareness for healthy packaging.”

-Pix by Ruwan Walpola