Plastic is everywhere in the form of water bottles, plastic wrap, food containers and toys.

塑料水瓶、塑料包装膜、塑料食品容器、塑料玩具，塑料无处不有。

Initially proclaimed as a miraculous material—lightweight, flexible, and sturdy, plastics are presently recognized as toxic both to the environment and to the user.

塑料最初被认为是神奇材料，它质轻、柔韧、坚固，如今却被公认为对环境和使用者都有毒性 。

The manufacturing process uses large amounts of energy and generates pollutants that contribute to global warming.

制造塑料过程中使用大量的能源并产生导致全球变暖的污染物，

They also spew toxic chemicals such as benzene and dioxin into the atmosphere.

还向大气中排放诸如苯及二氧芑之类的有毒化学品。

Their use is no less hazardous, as some types of plastic containers leach chemicals into their contents.

使用塑料害处不少，因为有些类型的塑料容器将化学品释放到内容物当中。

Disposal of plastics is a tough challenge for environmentalists; if dumped into a landfill, it takes hundreds of years to break down.

塑料的处理对环境学家是一个巨大的挑战；如果将其倒入垃圾填埋场，其降解需数百年时间。

If dumped into water, they harm aquatic life, and if burnt, the fumes toxify the air.

如果倒进水里，则对水生生物有害，如果焚烧，则烟气毒化空气。

It can be fatal to animals that eat them.

塑料对于将其吃下肚的动物来说是致命的。

So it is natural to be concerned when one reads about plastics causing DNA structural changes or about infants' death as a result of milk powder being contaminated with melamine.

因此，当人阅读关于塑料引起DNA结构改变或被三聚氰胺污染的奶粉导致婴儿死亡的文章之时，塑料自然会使人担心。

Studies indicate that food and drinks stored in plastic containers—including the Nalgene water bottles—can contain traces of Bisphenol A (BPA) used to make hard, clear plastics (or polycarbonate).

研究显示，存放在塑料容器（包括耐尔根水瓶）内的食品会含有微量的用于制造硬塑料和透明塑料（或聚碳酸酯）的双酚A（BPA）.

Even canned foods can contain BPA, as it is used in the inside lining.

即使罐装食品也含有BPA，因为这种材料被用作 内衬。

BPA has been linked to miscarriage, breast and uterine cancer, and decreased testosterone levels.

BPA与流产、乳腺癌、子宫癌以及睾丸激素水平降低有关。

As most baby bottles and sippy cups are made with plastics containing BPA, our parental responsibilities increase.

由于大多数婴儿奶瓶是用含有BPA的塑料制成的，我们父母的责任增加了。

Most of us heat plastic bottles for sterilizing it or put it on the microwave for heating it; this can hasten the transfer of BPA into the milk.

我们大多数人为了消毒而将塑料奶瓶加热或将其放入微波炉中加热，这会加速BPA向牛奶中转移。

The immune systems of fetuses and newborn are immature, making them vulnerable to damage from toxins.

胎儿及新生儿的免疫系统还不成熟，易受毒物的损害。

When babies chew on plastic toys, harmful chemicals can gain entry into the babies' delicate bodies.

当婴儿咀爵塑料之时，有害化学物质会进入其稚嫩的身体。

Safe Plastic:安全塑料：Plastic Recycling Codes塑料循环利用代码

The plastic containers carry certain symbols and codes at the bottom. Most disposable water, soda and juice bottles are made from plastic #1 (polyethylene terephthalate, also known as PET), and they are safe for one-time use only.

塑料容器底部带有某些符号和代码。大多数一次饮用水瓶、苏打及果汁瓶是由1号塑料（聚乙烯对苯二酸酯，又叫作 PET）制成的，仅适合一次性使用。

Plastics carrying #7 codes contain BPA; those labeled #3 contain polyvinyl chloride(PVC), and those labeled #6 contain polystyrene (PS).

带有7号代码的塑料含有BPA，3号含有聚氯乙烯(PVC)；6号含有聚苯乙烯(PS)。

All of them are carcinogenic.

这些全都是致癌物。

Plastic containers labeled # 2, 4 and 5 are safe.

带有2号、4号及5号标志的塑料容器是安全的。

In India, people generally use stainless steel vessels for cooking and heating, but of late, microwave ovens have started appearing in many homes.

在印度，人们通常使用不锈钢容器做饭和加热，但近来，微波炉出现在许多家庭。

If using microwave oven, use glass or ceramic containers (no paints, please).

如果使用微波炉，则使用陶瓷或玻璃容器（请不要使用带颜料的）。

Avoid plastic bottled water, if possible.<}0{>尽可能避免使用塑料瓶装水。

Nowadays, stainless steel bottles have started appearing in the market.

现在，不锈钢瓶子已开始在市场出现。

If you use a polycarbonate water bottle, do not use for warm or hot liquids, and discard old or scratched water bottles.

如果你用的是聚碳酸酯水瓶，不要用来盛放温热液体，并放弃旧的或被擦伤的水瓶。

Avoid using harsh detergents that can break down the plastic and increase chemical leaching.

避免使用可使塑料降解并增加化学物质浸出的烈性清洁剂。