Francesca Biagioli A new report reveals the impact of plastic on pet health, highlighting the risks associated not only with toys but also contaminated food
@Earthday.org
Though the effects of plastic on the environment and human health have been highlighted over the past couple of years, hardly anyone discusses the risks these materials create for our four-legged companions. Drawing attention to the negative impacts plastic has on the health of pets, Earthday.org has released a report titled “Pets vs. Plastics”.
Toxic substances in everyday items
This is not surprising, given the toxic cocktail of poisonous chemicals to which pets are exposed-chemicals that studies have revealed are in the blood of dogs and cats.
But what are these chemicals, and where do they come from? Take pet toys, which are often made from PVC. These can contain phthalates, a family of chemicals used to soften plastics and make them more flexible but also known for toxicity.
As the report states:
“Polyvinyl chloride is a rigid type of plastic. Can’t chew it for dogs since it is too hard, may hurt their teeth; so toxic chemicals called phthalates-many times referred to as plasticizers-add to PVC pet toys to make them softer, more flexible, and virtually more rubbery. The problem is that when your dog or cat chews on a toy made from such a plastic cocktail, phthalates leach out from the toy and can be absorbed through the gums and skin of our pets.”
The scariest part of all this is there are no specific regulations governing the manufacturing of pet toys.
Food packaging and invisible threats
Even food for pets is not without its risks. Many cans of cat and dog food contain linings made with PVC or bisphenol, substances which can migrate into the food.
Then there is the “invisible” problem of the microplastics forming when plastic products break down into microscopic particles, now practically everywhere-including human organs-they could be inhaled or ingested. Since our pets spend much of their time on the ground where dust containing microplastics is accumulated, they are in special danger of exposure.
The report also covers a Plastic Tox Test that was carried out by the actress/singer Amanda Seyfried with her dog Finn. Seyfried said in turn:
“I was nervous for results, and when they came in, I was definitely surprised by my dog Finn’s exposure. He scored 90% higher for phthalates.”. I feed him a healthy diet, but now I realize the plastic packaging of his food leeches toxic chemicals right into it. It was a bit of a wake-up call. If his food is contaminated with phthalates, then it convinces me that all of us are much more exposed than we might think, including our children.”
One such tester was Aidan Charron, Associate Global Director of Earthday.org, who also tested his two dogs. He said the following about the results:
“Despite my personal efforts to reduce plastic use in the home, my bisphenol levels were 89% higher than the national average, based on CDC data. Those for my dogs weren’t any better and prompted me to immediately get rid of their plastic toys and to start making them meals from scratch.”
Health risks and how to protect your pets
What specific risks are our pets running?
Long-term exposure to such toxins can result in liver damage, infertility, and certain types of cancer. Though the research into this issue is still in the relatively early stages, the warning signs are there, and many experts are sounding the alarm.
“The chemicals that poison people also poison animals,”
explained Tom Cosgrove, Chief Creative and Content Officer of Earthday.org.
We are not trying to scare pet owners, we just want them to be aware that for the health of their pets, in general, they have to avoid plastic toys and fabrics as much as possible, paying attention to how food is packaged. We are bombarding our bodies, our families, and our pets with a toxic mix of chemicals, and we want people to be aware of that.
To see the full report, read HERE.
Source: Earthday.org
