As some of you are aware, there are a variety of sources of estrogens in the environment. Drinking water, alcoholic beverages, and all the plastic that society is wrapped in leach T-killers at all hours. How can I ever be safe?

The straight answer is you can't. But you can try your best to minimize exposure, which will lower your chances of cancer and low T levels. This is about plastics, and the most important part is that not all plastics are alike.

In the United States, recycle-able plastics are labelled with a 1-7 numbering system inside the arrows and a note as to what they are. I will start with those as they are most common.

The plastics you want most are 2, 4, and 5. LDPE (2) and HDPE (4) are low and high-density polyethylene, and are flexible in nature. They rarely, if ever, contain plasticizers and are virtually indestructible. Same goes for PP or polypropylene. They can withstand exposure to heat and are fantastic plastics. They will still release estrogenic compounds over time, but they are the lowest dosage and should not impact an adult male.

After that, there is number 1, PET/PETE, polyethylene terephthalate. These are really harmful to you. Not only can they begin to harm you, as they are a type of [phthalate],(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phthalate), but they are also usually softened with BPA. Doesn't that sound familiar? Ah yes, BPA is that chemical that was removed from water bottles a few years back for causing cancer. Most coke bottles made of this plastic and many drink containers as well. Most importantly, don't expose this one to heat because it will release much more BPA and breakdown the plastic as well, adding much more estrogenic compound to your beverage.

Furthermore, there is 6: PS, or polystyrene. You may know this as Styrofoam. A few years back, Dow chemical stopped making Styrofoam brand beverage and food products so they couldn't get sued over it's estrogenic effects. This one also usually has BPA as a softener in it, so beware. This type of plastic cannot penetrate the skin either.

Lastly, PVC piping, number 3, often does contain various phthalates (info above). Not good for you, and often these phthalates can easily penetrate the skin.

Lastly, not a number, but receipt paper and papers that feel similar are called thermopapers. They withstand environmental conditions very well, and also leak BPA and many estrogens that can be absorbed through the skin and stay on your fingertips when you can. Avoid touching these.

Remember that most importantly, if you can stay away from plastics, that is always the best choice. Choose glass or ceramic. Cans, aluminum or food cans, are not a great choice because they are lined with very high amounts of BPA. And while this seems impossible to avoid, I find that there are easy things to switch that can really cut down the amount of plastics used.

Final statement: If you don't care about these for yourself, remember that the estrogenic effects are most pronounced in children. Phthalates in particular have been changing the offspring of some small animals from male to female, and are definitely to be avoided. If people enjoy this post, I can write about various other estrogens in foods and beverages to avoid.