Manufactured Toxins 101
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You may have heard the terms “BPA” or “Phthalates” in the past few years and if you aren’t yet familiar with what these are and what to look out for, you’re in luck! We’ll dive into what manufactured toxins are, which ones to look out for, and the affected materials.
You may already be familiar with the toxicity of lead or cadmium, which are natural elements with toxic properties. The toxins we will dive into here are manufactured toxins, or man-made - usually through the production of artificial materials commonly found in everyday products.
WHAT IS BPA?
BPA or bisphenol A, is an industrial chemical used to make certain plastics and resins. BPA can be found in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins - so plastic containers and epoxy coatings which can be found inside cans of food. High levels of exposure to BPA in humans can result in developmental issues in young children and infants. In pets, it can lead to diabetes, cancer, and neurological issues.
Now that you know what BPA is and its effects, it’s important to note that the use of BPA has decreased dramatically. As the world uses cleaner materials, please use the following guidelines when a product is not specifically noted as BPA-Free. Plastics marked as recycle code “3” or “7” may contain BPA - and we advise extra caution with 7s.
WHAT ARE PHTHALATES?
Phthalates are a group of chemicals used to make plastics more durable, also know as plasticizers. Phthalates are commonly found in the same products containing BPA. Phthalates may also be found in other household applications such as vinyl flooring or hygiene products. Phthalates are safe in humans - it enters, breaks down, and leaves. In pets however, they can cause reproductive issues, so it’s best to avoid where possible.
ARE PRODUCTS SOLD BY GOTCHA ALL NON-TOXIC?
Most of the products in our catalog are non-toxic and specifically noted as such. You can shop confidently if you see this noted in the product description, or you may even shop for non-toxic products only through filters. If a product is not noted as such, it does not mean it automatically contains toxic materials - it just means our team has yet had the chance to confirm these details with the supplier.
