Posts Tagged ‘green’

Is Your Recycled Toilet Paper Toxic?

Monday, June 13th, 2011

Green Does Not Mean Good For You or the Environment –

Many consumers are purchasing recycled toilet paper as an effort to be more environmentally friendly.  The problem is, many recycled TP’s contain a dangerous chemical called Bisphenol-A (BPA).

What is BPA?

BPA is a chemical that disrupts the endocrine system and actually mimics the female hormone estrogen.  It may be responsible for an increase in fertility problems and endometriosis among adult females.  More concerning is the fact that BPA exposure is linked to noticeable neurological, behavioral and even prostate gland changes in fetuses and young children.

BPA is a toxic compound that is found in most plastics.  In the U.S. many states are working to ban BPA in baby products — baby bottles, toys, pacifiers, and other items that babies put in their mouths.  Additionally, these BPA containing plastics can be used to store food (even some cans are lined with it).   Water bottles, zip lock bags, plastic utensils, and more contain this estrogen mimicking chemical.  Oh yeah,  that recycled toilet paper you just bought  may also contain BPA.

Recycled toilet paper: Not as friendly as you think?

It turns out that credit card receipts and other items that use thermal printing paper are ultimately used in making recycled toilet paper. Unfortunately, most brands of thermal printing paper contain BPA.   While BPA isn’t an ingredient directly used to make recycled toilet paper, the process that creates this environmentally friendlier paper product creates a completely new toxicity concern: BPA in wastewater streams.

What happens to toilet paper? It gets flushed. The wastewater ends up at a municipal water treatment plant. When toilet paper contains BPA, it is also processed at the local plant, but unfortunately, some of this BPA finds its way into both surface and groundwater supplies.

So, why is this a concern? The xenoestrogens in BPA have been linked to a number of cancers and hormonal abnormalities.  Water treatment facilities do not remove BPA.  That means that you are left with having to filter your own water.
Dr. Osborne's Comment
The Green Movement is great for environmental awareness.  But often times people look for Green without thinking.  A similar trend was seen with fat free diets, and gluten free diets.  Manufacturers starting using the term fat or gluten free on all labels.  It became a buzzword and was automatically associated with health regardless of reality.

Ever stop to think where you will be putting the toilet paper, or what you will be putting it on?

In this ever complex world of marketing and deception, how can you make informed decisions without all of the misleading media messages being blasted at you?

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