Did you know that plastic breaks down over time, leaching chemicals that can cause cancer? Your dog may be at risk from plastics in your home.
Plastic was a wonder material. It makes our lives easier, and can be produced synthetically without depleting natural resources like elephants or camphor trees. But some of the very qualities that make plastic amazing also make it potentially harmful.
Dr. Charlotte Hacker, PhD is a wildlife biologist who researched the connection between plastic and cancer for an article on DogCancer.com. In this episode she talks about several of the harmful chemicals that can be in plastic or produced during the manufacturing of plastic products. She also explains what we currently know about how different chemicals can impact the endocrine system in your dog’s body and the environment at large.
But don’t panic. Even though it is pretty much impossible to completely avoid plastic, there are easy strategies you can take to minimize potentially harmful plastic exposure for your dog. These include switching out plastic bowls, avoiding plastic food storage containers, choosing dog toys carefully, and preventing your dog from chewing plastic items.
Links Mentioned in Today’s Show:
- Can Plastic Cause Cancer in Dogs? article: https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/causes-and-prevention/can-plastic-cause-cancer-in-dogs/
Related Links:
- Genetics in Canine Cancer article - https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/causes-and-prevention/genetics-in-canine-cancer/
- Acrylamide in Dog Food article - https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/causes-and-prevention/acrylamide-in-dog-food/
- Early Dog Cancer Warning Signs podcast episode - https://www.dogcancer.com/podcast/stats-and-facts/early-dog-cancer-warning-signs-dr-david-vail/
About Today’s Guest, Dr. Charlotte Hacker:
Dr. Charlotte Hacker graduated with her Masters in 2015 studying animal welfare and behavior, and her Doctorate in 2021 with a focus on the use of molecular genetic approaches to study at-risk wildlife.
A conservation biologist by vocation, Charlotte’s love for all things animals started with a love for dogs. Her research interests are multifaced and include mammalian genetics, international conservation science policy, and human-animal relations.
Dr. Hacker is passionate about writing, science communication, and improving the livelihoods of humans and the animals they share space with. Her hobbies include yoga, hiking, watching documentaries, and traveling. She is based in Washington, D.C., with her rescue miniature dachshund, Nittany.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlottehacker/
0:00 Start
2:39 BPA and Endocrine Disruptors
9:11 Phthalates
12:21 Lead
13:47 Alkylphenols
15:20 Vinyl Chloride
17:54 History of Plastic
21:35 Plastics Degrade
24:07 Switching Out Plastic Containers
25:21 Environmental Impact
26:58 Plastic and Dog Cancer
30:57 Charlotte’s Background
34:36 Reducing Plastic Exposure for Dogs
40:51 Evolving Legislation
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