Pollution is the presence of contaminants, like toxic chemicals, metals, and even radioactive materials, that may be present in our environment due to improper disposal methods, industrial accidents, and household waste. These pollutants can be found in air, water, soil, and food and tend to have negative effects on the environment and on health if breathed, swallowed in food or water, or absorbed directly through then skin. Pollution increases compounds called free radicals in the body. Too many free radicals can increase the risk for cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic.

 People are exposed to pollution every day, in ways that cannot always be avoided. For example, some storage containers might contain harmful chemicals. For example, heating plastic that is not microwave safe can cause chemical residue to come into contact with food.

 To help participants learn more about how plastics might have negative effects on health, the Todd County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences taught Body Balance: Safe Storage of Food and Drink to 41 participants in 9 counties in the Pennyrile Area.  Twenty-three participants completed and end of the meeting evaluation. As a result of the lesson, 96% increased their knowledge about safe storage of food and drink; 96% planned to limit their use of disposable plastic water bottles to avoid BPA; 96% planned to use food storage methods considered safe; 96% planned to heat food in containers that are microwave safe to help protect their health from the residue leached into food.