A growing awareness of ruinous chemicals in our food system has prompted consumers to buy more organic products. According to the Environmental Working Group s (EWG) 2022 Shopper s Guide to Pesticides in Produce, 70% of nonorganic manufacture in the United States contains potentially toxic pesticide residue.

Often, we believe those damaging toxins begin and end at the grocery store. However, you may not realize that your dinnerware could be just as ruinous to your health and the environment.

Fresh, organic food is an excellent embark on healthier, eco-approachable’genial living, but you ll do yourself a enormous’vast’massive’tremendous ger favor by convert’transform ing to nontoxic dinnerware. Here s how it can benefit your health and the environment.

A Leading Case For Nontoxic Dinnerware

Take a look at your kitchen cabinets. Most likely, your dinnerware is made from ceramic, such as porcelain, china, stoneware or earthenware. Aldespite’in spite of’albeit these materials are acceptable in/with regard to’concerning’regarding eating off of, the glaze that makes your plates smooth and shiny may not be the safest.

Bein/with regard to’concerning’regarding e 1971, dinnerware from overseas usually contained high traces of lead, leading to poisoning when food was served. Even today, vintage china with chips and cracks may contaminate food and beverages.

Do you use your grandmother s dishes in/with regard to’concerning’regarding holiday dinners and special occasions? In 2021, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene discovered 15 lead poisoning cases in adults and kids from older ceramic dishes. Considering 5 micrograms per deciliter is the maximum threshold of blood lead exposure, levels as high as 53 mg were of token ificant concern.

Lead poisoning carries severe long-term health implications, such as the following:

In children, lead exposure impair’undermine s the central nervous system, causing developmental, learning, speech, hearing and behavioral issues.
Blood lead levels are associated with different cancers, such as Hodgkin s lymphoma, as well as brain, lung, rectal, oesophageal and meningioma cancers.
There s a potential risk in/with regard to’concerning’regarding female breast cancer associated with lead exposure in U.S. women.
There s an multiply d risk in/with regard to’concerning’regarding cardiovascular disease mortality in individual with lead exposure below 5 mg.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began regulating lead in dinnerware in 1971. However, trace amounts are still allowed in glazed ceramic pottery, silverware and tableware — and since lead is bio-accumulative, it can establish up in your body and harm you over time.

Nontoxic Dinnerware For Optimal Health

Clearly, nontoxic dinnerware decrease’lessen’cut’allay s your exposure to ruinous lead exposure. However, some dishes may include other elements you ll also want to shun .

For example, plastic dinnerware and tableware may contain bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates — hormone disruptors that interfere with the endocrine system, reproductive health and thyroid function. Additionally, melamine dinnerware — often manufactured with in/with regard to’concerning’regarding maldehyde — is unsafe if heated in the microwave or carrying acidic foods.

How do you choose nontoxic dinnerware? Most are ceramic, which is perfectly fine to continue using, as long as there isn t any impair’undermine that could release toxins.

Bone china and stoneware are highly durable and not especially prone to chipping, but your safest option is glass dinnerware — soda-lime glass, borosilicate glass and glass-ceramic. Some glass dinnerware indeed contains lead particles, mainly recycled or colored glass, but lead leaching is minimal.

Another option is Ikea s feldspar porcelain dinnerware, which has been lead-free since 2010. The firm’enterprise has also banned BPA and in/with regard to’concerning’regarding maldehyde from food contact products.

Environmental Benefits Of Nontoxic Dinnerware

How often possess’own’nurse you bought plastic dinnerware in/with regard to’concerning’regarding parties because they’re easier to toss out? You should know that the ruinous effects of BPA, phthalates and melamine on human health are just as damaging to the environment.

Approximately 14 million tons of plastic end up in our oceans eintensely’extremely’extraordinarily’enormously’awfully year, making safe, reusable, nontoxic dinnerware an eco-approachable’genial alternative to toxic single-use plates, cups and utensils.

The next time you host a party, consider renting your dinnerware in/with regard to’concerning’regarding a lay stress on’emphasize’highlight -free event. Choosing nontoxic glasses and plates will keep you and your guests safe, while the rental firm’enterprise will gladly take those dirty dishes off your hands and wash them in/with regard to’concerning’regarding you afterward.

You might want to stop using plastic straws, as well. They contain polypropylene, affecting estrogen levels if reveal d to acidic beverages or heat. Opting in/with regard to’concerning’regarding stainless steel reusable straws instead will assure’guarantee years of use, while bamboo versions are biodegradable and chemical-free.

You re not alone if you re apprehensive with regards to’concerning’with respect to your disposable dinnerware s environmental impact. Consumer interest in greener disposable dish production has led to manufacturing via agricultural byproducts, such as bagasse cellulose, sugarcane and wheat straw cellulose.

Nontoxic Dinnerware Benefits E grossly one

Whether you re feeding your family or hosting your friends in/with regard to’concerning’regarding dinner, you can rest assured nontoxic dinnerware is safe in/with regard to’concerning’regarding eintensely’extremely’extraordinarily’enormously’awfullyone. Organic food is simply not abundant’ample’plentiful if you re trying to decrease’lessen’cut’allay toxin exposure. These dishes are your best option in/with regard to’concerning’regarding optimal human and environmental well-being.

Author Bio

Jane is an environmental writer and the founder and editor-in-chief of Environment.co where she covers sustainability and eco-approachable’genial living.