Purrfectplay

Plastics 2: Adipates and Phthalates

Smile you silly pup!
Originally uploaded by something.from.nancy

Monomers are small chemical units that make up the conglomerate we call plastic.  Sometimes extra monomers are added to plastic that create unique functional characteristics.

Plasticizers are monomers which impart flexibility by interspersing around the polymer chains, preventing the creation of a tight bond. Without them, plastic is rigid and difficult to shape or mold.  Because plasticizers are basically lone agents and not tightly bonded to the structure, they can spin off the chain easily. With the addition of heat or friction (sometimes called “use”) these small units end up in the plastic’s immediate environment. This could be the ocean, your micro-waved lunch, or the water you drink. (this is, of course, a shortened list of possible transfer sites in our everyday lives!)

Two major families of plasticizers are the adipates and phthalates.  Adipates and phthalates do much of their damage through a process called “endocrine/ hormone disruption”. By mimicking or blocking natural hormones they disrupt the body’s normal functioning.  Because endocrine disruptors affect development of the body’s vital organ and hormone systems, infants, children, fetuses, kittens, and puppies are more vulnerable to exposure than fully formed adults. Some experts have implicated these hormone disruptions in our increased incidents of cancer, especially breast cancer.

Canada, most of Europe, and some major cities in the US ban the use of phthalates and other known hormone disrupters in the manufacturing of baby toys, teething rings, and baby bottles. The main types of plastics banned from these uses are:  Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) which contains toxic monomers along with the plasticizers that make it pliable, and Bisphenol A (BPA) found in many polycarbonate plastics. BPA is found in plastic labeled as microwavable, lining beverage cans, and in baby bottles—to name just a few sources in your everyday life.

Why is this important for pet parents? Unfortunately a plastic toy squeaks almost always because it contains lots of plasticizers-- otherwise it would be rigid and non squeakable.  This is compounded by a puppy’s toothy warm mouth which provides warmth and friction. Here is one scenario on what can happen when a chew-happy puppy or cat plays with one of their colorful soft squeaky plastic pet toys.  (Also, for goodness sakes don’t wash your pets’ plastic toys in a hot soapy washing machine. Remember: friction, heat, UV light, and age are what sets free the little monomer units.)

Basically if it is flexible and made of plastic it is full of hormone disruptive plasticizers. This is simply a fact. Hormone disruption and health do not go together.  More on Hormone disruption in our next entry.

For additional and more specific info on plastics and your pets see (http://www.purrfectplay.com/newsletter-06-11.php) The links at the end are useful and... depressing. 

Made in China

Dogs and Cats Are Skinned Alive in China for Fur
Originally uploaded by Thomas Hawk

I recently ordered a dog duvet for Rosa. The San Francisco based company has a lovely video showing the owner's 3 dogs, her need for clean bedding and how a duvet cover worked wonders. The company gets rave reviews from various media sources.

The thought never crossed my mind that the bedding could be made in China. I was totally surprised and disappointed when I opened my package and found "Made in China" labels on every single item.

I just don't get it! Labor is expensive in the US ( we know this full well) but.. Purrfectplay is able to manufacture here and we are totally not rocket scientists. Besides, China isn't the only market if you think US labor is too expensive. Why would anyone say they care about dogs and cats and then indirectly support the hideous socially supported torture and killing of thousands of dogs and cats per DAY in China? It can't just be the bottom line.

Rationalizing can work as a strategy. Statements like: eating dog is cultural; when people are poor they do rotten stuff just to stay alive; and my favorite, what can we do anyway? -- these are just rationalizations. If buying from China were not so cheap this type of reasoning would evaporate and the truth would be easier to see (and say).  So maybe it is the bottom line.

Pet companions are fed up with all the toxic products coming out of China. Many of us read labels and go out of our way to avoid Chinese made. We have learned  the karmic price in buying cheap products for our beloved pets from a country where millions of dogs and cats per year are tortured. China doesn't care about dogs and cats, no matter where they live.  It seems deeply ironic that companies dependent on the love of pet companions to buy their premium products would ignore the dark reality for dogs and cats in China.

What do you think?

What the Heck is That Thing in My Dog's Food?

Last week I opened a new can of food for Rosa--Evangers chicken drummetes.  I was startled to find a metal clip wedged deep into the chicken. The good news is that the chicken may have been Kosher, the bad news is that this metal clip could have been in my dog's throat or tummy!

I emailed Evangers and this is how they responded:

 We apologize for this incident. Unfortunately, the supplier for some reason puts metal clips (instead of paper or plastic like other manufacturers) on the product to identify the manufacturer. They also “hide” it inside the elbow joint and then close it. Our hand packed people are on watch for these. It appears as if one has slipped through. I am certain that this is an extremely isolated instance. Fortunately you saw it before your dog tried to consume it. Honestly, I don’t think that your dog would have swallowed it. I know my dog spits out strange things like pills when I am trying to conceal it in his food.

Anyway, we appreciate that you took the time to notify us of your incident. We will use that information to modify and improve our quality and procedures.

Thanks again, and have a great day!

Huh? Your kidding, right?  What if someone found a pin in one of our toys. What if we said, "We use pins all the time when we sew. We must have missed that one. This hardly ever happens. Have a nice day" ?!  

Maybe Evangers should slow the processing pace so that workers have time to make sure 1 inch metal toothed clips do not end up in cans of their dog food? You think? 

I contacted the FDA via their consumer complaint line. Guess what?  No one called me back. Not a surprise. I am sure the FDA is overworked.  But, the FDA also has a history of dropping the ball when it comes to pet food and.. the future doesn't look much brighter.  Weak poorly regulated rules mean that the profit risk ratio is tipped-- why pay a tad more to prevent metal clips from winding up in your dog food when no one "important" cares anyway?

Events like this tend to reignite my paranoia, which goes like this: Very few people involved in manufacturing or regulating pet products actually care about our pets. Yes, they may show cute pictures on their websites and talk about their own pets but the profit margin is what actually counts-- first and foremost. Sadly this would be true no matter what the industry (even, gasp, products for children). But, regulators are trying with many of these industries, quite unlike the the gaping unregulated void in which the pet industry operates.

This is why I believe education matters tremendously. Be informed, search out new information, look beyond the glossy ads, and don't always listen to the experts.
They may be biased.
They may not be thinking of your pets.
They may be thinking of their wallets.  

So..what do you think?