Why Plastics Can Make You Sick

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http://www.mercola.com/2005/apr/27/plastics.htm

 

Why Plastics Can Make You Sick

 

A controversy regarding the safety of low-dose effects of bisphenol A

(BPA), a chemical used to make hard, clear plastics such as those

found in baby bottles, food-storage containers and the lining of soda

cans, has reached the forefront in America.

 

Each year, over 6 billion tons of BPA are used to make polycarbonate

plastics. Chemical bonds that BPA forms in plastic can unravel when

heated, washed or exposed to acidic foods, prompting the chemical to

contaminate foods. And while the plastic industry fails to see the

need for alarm regarding the health impact of this chemical,

researchers with no ties to the industry beg to differ.

 

Opposing Results

 

Your body is extremely sensitive to sex hormones, and miniscule

amounts can induce profound changes. Therefore, since BPA imitates the

sex hormone estradiol, scientists are afraid even low levels of BPA

could have a negative impact. Moreover, there is evidence (among mice

and rats) low doses of BPA can cause:

 

* Hyperactivity

* Early puberty

* Increased fat formation

* Abnormal sexual behavior

* Disrupted reproductive cycles

* Structural damage to the brain

 

Of the 115 published studies researchers reviewed on the low-dose

effects of BPA, 94 of them reported harmful effects on mice and rats;

21 did not.

 

Coincidentally, none of the 11 studies funded by chemical companies

found harmful effects caused by BPA, which the Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention has reported is detected in 95 percent of all

patients tested. On the other hand, more than 90 percent of the

studies conducted by scientists not associated with the chemical

industry [text in blue] discovered negative consequences.

 

Environmental Health Perspectives Free Full-Text Download

 

USA Today April 14, 2005

 

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

 

The negative effects of bisphenol A (BPA) have been documented for

many years. This latest study clearly illustrates the massive conflict

of interest that is present in many major industries promoting

consumer goods.

 

In a manner similar to those used in the pharmaceutical, tobacco, cell

phone and artificial sweetener industries, the plastics industry finds

ways to create misleading information about the safety -- or lack

thereof -- of their products.

 

The results of this study again show how research findings can be

manipulated by money, and how the greed of the people who head up

major corporations can, indeed, have a negative impact on your health.

 

BPA is used in many products of modern society, not just as the

building block for polycarbonate plastic (from which it leaches as the

container ages), but also in the manufacture of epoxy resins and other

plastics, including:

 

* Polysulfone

* Alkylphenolic

* Polyalylate

* Polyester-styrene

* Certain polyester resins

 

According to the lead researcher in this study, BPA mimics estradiol,

a sex hormone that can trigger major changes in your body, which is

why medical experts are so concerned about the impact of even tiny

amounts of it showing up in people. The problems associated with BPA

include:

 

* Structural damage to the brain

* Hyperactivity

* Abnormal sexual behavior

* Increased fat formation

* Early puberty

* Disrupted reproductive cycles

 

What Now?

 

With the possibility of 95 percent or more of us having BPA and, quite

possibly, many other chemicals in our bodies being very real, it begs

the question: Can you do anything about it?

 

Prevention

 

The only real way to prevent toxins from collecting in your body in

the first place is to avoid exposure to them. To help you with this

process, I provide some guidelines on how you can learn to identify

and avoid common toxins in your environment.

 

Treatment

 

There are numerous methods that can be used to help detoxify your

body, and they vary in cost, time and efficacy. I tend to gravitate

toward the treatments that are simple, effective, inexpensive and

don't involve taking a lot of supplements.

 

The treatments below fit all of these criteria, and can be

incorporated into your daily life. They all work to support your

body's natural detoxification systems, namely your digestive system,

liver, kidneys, lungs and skin.

 

*

 

Stimulate blood flow through your organs of elimination.

Constitutional hydrotherapy treatments increase blood flow through

your liver and kidneys, enhancing their filtering effects.

*

 

Increase toxin elimination through the skin. Use a sauna

regularly to increase how much, how often, and how deeply you sweat.

*

 

Give you lungs some extra support. By practicing deep breathing

exercises you can greatly enhance this vital detoxification mechanism.

*

 

Stimulate lymphatic flow. Dry skin brushing and exercise are two

of the only ways to increase the flow of the lymphatic system, your

body's garbage collector.

*

 

Maintain optimal levels of beneficial intestinal flora. The best

ways to accomplish this are by incorporating fermented foods into your

diet.

 

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Two Thirds of Canned Foods Found to Have Low Levels of Potent

Carcinogen