We all use plastic on a regular basis. From water tumblers to water pipes, plastic has become a necessity. But what most of us don’t know is that our reliance on these materials may cost us our health in the long run.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical found in most plastic containers in the market. As we often interact with items with BPA, we unwittingly ingest it. Our bodies then go on to metabolize it, and that’s where problems begin, as various studies have linked BPA with cancer, neurological disorders, and even physiological defects.

An article on ScienceDaily.com says that although BPA in itself may already cause a lot of harm, the real threat is MBP, a more potent chemical produced after BPA metabolism. In so many ways, MBP is similar to estradiol, one of the body’s three main estrogens. Because of this, estrogen receptors tend to strongly bind with MBP--sometimes even more so than the real hormone. This causes hormonal disruption and imbalance. When your estrogen goes haywire, a lot of unpleasant things can occur, such as tumor growths that may eventually lead to cancer.

When buying plastic food containers or sippy cups for your kdis, make sure to look for products that are marked BPA-free. Better yet, lessen plastic usage and go with alternatives such as paper, glass, stainless steel, and porcelain. After all, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

(Photo by Dwayne Madden via Flickr Creative Commons)