10 Best Health And Beauty Services in Perry, OH

BPA Linked to Higher Testosterone Levels BPA's in almost everything, it seems. The chemical is great for making transparent, nearly shatter-proof plastic, called polycarbonate, so it shows up everywhere--in CDs, water bottles, even eyeglasses. Now it's in your urine, too. And if you're a guy, it's messing with your hormones. Researchers at the School of Biosciences at the University of Exeter in the UK have found an association between BPA (Bisphenol A) and higher levels of testosterone, proving a link that up until now has only been decisively shown in lab animals. The new study, published this month in Environmental Health Perspectives, looked at hundreds of men in Italy who had volunteered to donate blood and urine samples. Out of all these men of all ages, 98 percent had some level of BPA in their urine. "And as soon as you see something in 98 percent of the population, you think, 'That could be a health risk,'" said Tamara Galloway, the lead author of the study. Galloway's group's previous work with BPA has established links between exposure to the chemical and cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes. But the chemical had long been suspected to also act as an endocrine disruptor; that is, something that mimics or blocks hormones in the body. The men who excreted the most BPA through their urine also had the highest amount of testosterone in their blood. BPA passes through the body "rapidly and completely," according to the study. But because BPA is so ubiquitous, the damage is through a low level of constant exposure, so even as "old" BPA is flushed out, we're ingesting more of it. "everything we've seen suggests that there's a low level of consistent exposure," Galloway said. Getting Rid of BPA In an unrelated study, researchers have been working on ways to degrade BPA-containing plastic without releasing BPA into the environment. Mukesh Doble, a professor in the Indian Institute of Technology's biotech department, and his colleagues exposed sheets of polycarbonate to UV light and then inoculated them with white-rot fungus. The researchers were able to partially decompose the plastic with no release of harmful BPA. The fungus isn't exactly feeding on the BPA, Doble said, but "this fungi breaks it into pieces, so whatever is coming out is not exactly a BPA molecule." Left alone without the white-rot fungus, the plastic will be attacked by bacteria that eventually do break it down, but release BPA into the environment during the process, Doble explained. Instead, using Doble's technique, the UV light "pretreats" the plastic, making it easier for the mold, used commercially for bioremediation all over the world, to grow. Combined, they made for the best and fastest plastic killer. The solution isn't a quick fix: after a year, the plastic was only about 6 percent degraded. Doble estimates it would take about 20 years to break down the entire thing. And until a plastic treatment plant based on the scientists' findings opens up near you, your only option to get rid of your bottle is to dump it in the trash. Most municipalities don't accept #7 plastics for recycling. Many companies, prompted by health concerns, have been phasing out polycarbonate in favor of other plastics. But BPA is still found in some food storage containers, baby bottles, the linings of metal cans, and in all sorts of non-food related uses, so it'll be with us for a long time. Even if we do let it rot. --Rachel Kaufman- National Geographic for BPA free and thousands of other Green products please visit http://www.HARBORGREENSTORE.com

By Harbor Green Store

Going 'Green' Can Be Easy

Going 'Green' Can Be Easy Most people think that being 'green' means you have to replace everything in your home or make dramatic changes in your lifestyle. This just is not the case! Every little step you make to contribute to a more eco-friendly and healthy lifestyle helps. Even if you have no concern for our planet Earth, at least make better choices for yourself and your family. For instance, we here at Harbor Green Store are very concerned about BPA (Bisphenol A). Scientists at the University of Cincinnati found that when the same new and used polycarbonate drinking bottles were exposed to boiling hot water, BPA, an environmental estrogen, was released 55 times more rapidly than before exposure to hot water. (Science Daily, 2008). The chemical--which is widely used in products such as reusable water bottles, food can linings, water pipes and dental sealants--has been shown to affect reproduction and brain development in animal studies. So what does all this mean? Every time you heat up your food in a plastic container containing BPA, you are releasing these toxins into your food. So, what should you do about it? Replace your plasticware with glass or BPA free materials. We highly recommend replacing your water bottles with a reusable canteen. This saves the environment of millions of empty water bottles a year and is better for your health. Plus you can fill them with whatever drink you want and not worry about scarey health consequences. Skeptical or unconcerned about BPA? How about just being concerned with your money? Little changes in your living habits can help save you money and the environment. For starters, turn down the thermostat! Put on a blanket in the winter and open the windows in the summer. This saves you and the environement in energy charges. Watch your faucets for leaking water. Or walk or ride your bike for short trips. It's healthy for you and releases no toxins into the air from gas. Also, what many folks don't think about is buying sustainable products. This means buying products that will last you a long time or are made from sustainable materials that are easily replaced, such as bamboo. You can find a great selection of Bamboo clothes, furniture, bedding and bath accessories at Harbor Green Store. The best way to start a 'green' lifestyle is to make little changes when they are convenient for you. If you are looking to replace your household cleaners, think about chemical-free and toxin free plant based cleaners. If you are looking for new bedding, think about one made from organic cotton, bamboo or merino wool. Or if you are looking to spruce up your yard, buy natural fertilizers rich in micronutrients. All of these changes have less environmental effect and are healthier for you, your family, and your pets. Check out http://www.HarborGreenStore.com for great eco-friendly, healthy alternatives for your everyday needs.

By Harbor Green Store