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John,
The convenience of plastic comes with a hidden cost to our health.
That's because plastic can contain thousands of chemicals. Of the 16,000 chemicals used in plastic materials, more than 4,200 may be hazardous to people.[1]
Are some of these chemicals in your kitchen right now? If they are, what can you do?
Let's take a look at some of the most problematic kitchen items -- as well as some healthier, plastic-free alternatives:
While cans themselves are usually made of aluminum or steel, most cans are lined with plastic.[2] And despite some manufacturer phaseouts, many cans are still lined with plastic polymers that contain the chemical bisphenol-A, or BPA. BPA has been linked to obesity, Type 2 Diabetes and other adverse health impacts.[3]
You can still stock your pantry without exposing you or your loved ones to BPA. For beans, vegetables and fruits, use dried, frozen or fresh whenever possible. And when you must purchase a can, opt for one that's labeled BPA-free.
Black plastic containers are a staple at many takeout restaurants. But black plastic often contains high levels of brominated flame retardants, which are linked to lowered IQs in children.[4,5]
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When storing leftovers, opt for glass or ceramic storage containers over black plastic. And when you reheat those leftovers, make sure you're microwaving in a container that's plastic-free.
When your knife hits a plastic cutting board, it creates grooves that shed microplastics directly into your food.[6] And while the science is still emerging, there is some evidence that eating microplastics can potentially lead to inflammation, immune system impairment, heart attacks and even strokes.[7]
Keep microplastics out of your meals by swapping your plastic cutting board for one made from wood.
While we hope these tips will help you make safer choices for you and your family, to truly protect ourselves and our loved ones, we must move beyond plastic and create fewer plastic items in the first place.
That's why PIRG is urging major retailers to slash unnecessary plastic packaging. We're also advocating for state laws that limit the most dangerous uses of single-use plastics and calling out industry misinformation that downplays these risks.
Thanks for being part of the solution to end plastic waste and pollution,
Faye Park
President
P.S. Your contribution is one way to take a stand against plastic pollution. If you believe this work is important, please donate today.
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1. Will Sullivan, "Plastics Contain Thousands More Chemicals Than Thought, and Most Are Unregulated, Report Finds," Smithsonian Magazine, March 19, 2024.
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2. "Are There Plastic Liners in Your Aluminum Cans and Other Packaging?" Glass Packaging Institute, last accessed January 7, 2026.
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3. Priyadarshini Mirmira and Carmella Evans-Molina, "Bisphenol A, Obesity, and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Genuine Concern or Unnecessary Preoccupation?" National Library of Medicine, March 13, 2014.
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4. Steve Inskeep, "The dangers and health risks associated with black plastic," National Public Radio, December 16, 2024.
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5. Ann M Vuong, "Flame retardants and neurodevelopment: An updated review of epidemiological literature," National Library of Medicine, last accessed Jan. 5, 2026.
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6. Matt Fuchs, "Are Plastic Cutting Boards Safe?" TIME, November 24, 2025.
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7. Katia Savchuk, "Microplastics and our health: What the science says," Stanford Medicine, January 29, 2025.
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U.S. PIRG
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