Bisphenol-A: Why makers of products don't want you to worry, but you should!

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http://www.sixwise.com/newsletters/06/02/16/bisphenol.htm

 

Bisphenol-A: Why Makers of Toys, Medical Equipment & More Don't Want

You to Worry About Bisphenol-A -- and Why You Should

by www.SixWise.com

 

A California Bill intended to ban certain toys, pacifiers, baby

bottles and teethers for children under 3 was recently proposed (and

defeated). The Bill sought to eliminate the products because they can

contain a chemical called bisphenol-A (BPA) (along with some

phthalates).

 

 

 

About 95 percent of baby bottles contain estrogen-mimicking BPA,

which can leach into baby's food.

 

Growing Concerns Surrounding BPA

 

The Bill calls attention to growing concerns surrounding BPA and its

effect on human health. The chemical is widely used -- about 6.3

billion pounds of BPA were used in 2003 -- in a variety of products,

including:

 

Tooth sealants

 

Water bottles

 

Glasses

 

Plastic liners for cans

 

Baby toys, bottles, pacifiers

 

Microwave ovenware and utensils

 

The problem is that BPA can leach out of plastic during everyday use,

causing health problems. Most notably, BPA mimics the female hormone

estrogen and may affect fertility and promote cancer.

 

BPA Found in 95% of People Tested

 

" We have widespread exposure to bisphenol-A. It's in practically

everything. It's been found in blood throughout the Northern

hemisphere, " said Theo Colborn, author of " Our Stolen Future, " a book

on endocrine disrupters.

 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),

BPA is found in 95 percent of people tested -- a very serious finding

when you consider all the ill health effects it has been linked to.

 

 

 

BPA is found in water bottles, cans, plastic toys and bottles -- and

95 percent of people, according to one study.

 

One study, published in the journal Endocrinology, for instance,

found that pregnant mice exposed to levels of the compound similar to

what a human would typically be exposed to had alterations to the

development of their mammary glands. Specifically:

 

The mammary glands of their female offspring grew in a way that made

them more susceptible to breast cancer development.

 

The mammary glands responded unusually to estrogen, which promotes

breast cancer in humans.

 

Due to the bisphenol-A exposure, the mice were less able to get rid

of damaged cells that could be cancerous than mice that were not

exposed.

 

" This is of tremendous concern because this is clearly a study that

is relevant to human exposure levels to this chemical, " said

Professor Frederick vom Saal, a developmental biologist at the

University of Missouri-Columbia.

 

Other studies in mice have found BPA exposure causes other concerning

changes as well:

 

Enlarged prostates

 

Genital deformities

 

Disrupted puberty

 

Increased cancer rates in certain organs and cell lines

 

Pancreatic changes that promote insulin resistance

 

Pubescent mammary gland developmental changes

 

Altered to thyroid regulation

 

Structural damage to the brain

 

Hyperactivity

 

Abnormal sexual behavior

 

Increased fat formation

 

Down's syndrome

 

Disrupted reproductive cycles

 

" Since these substances are known to disrupt in animals, it's hard to

imagine they wouldn't in humans, " said Colborn.

 

Industry Paints a Different Picture

 

When Professor vom Saal reviewed 115 studies about bisphenol-A, he

found that more than 90 percent of the studies conducted by

independent scientists found adverse consequences. However, 11 out of

11 studies conducted by the chemical industry did not.

 

And when asked about the potential health effects of BPA, Lorenz

Romberg, a consultant and former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

scientist who has testified before the government on behalf of the

chemical industry, had this to say:

 

" When you look at this body of evidence in total, we didn't find any

evidence that there is a marked, repeatable-across-laboratories

effect that has any clear scientific standing. "

 

 

 

Choosing wood toys, rather than plastic, for your infants may

minimize their BPA exposure (especially if they put those plastic

toys in their mouths.

 

Which Products Contain BPA, and How do I Avoid Them?

 

Plastic containing BPA may be called:

 

Polycarbonate

 

Lexan

 

Polysulfone

 

Though it is generally clear, it can be tinted in various colors.

 

If you have young children you should be aware that BPA is widely

used in baby bottles. In fact, according to an article in the

Jerusalem Post, about 95 percent of baby bottles on the world market

are made of BPA-containing plastic.

 

In Israel, the Health Ministry recently advised parents to throw away

baby bottles that are over a year old, scratched or cracked, and not

use pacifiers or teething rings that are worn out or torn.

 

The advisory came in response to a Japanese study that found baby

bottles release the compound, particularly when heated (such as

during bottle sterilization). In the study, 10 different brands of

polycarbonate baby bottles were tested, along with other clear

plastic tableware. When heated, all the products leached bisphenol-A.

 

Products to Avoid

 

If you want to avoid products with BPA, keep in mind the following:

 

Plastic that contains BPA carries the #7 recycling symbol.

 

Most clear plastic baby bottles and child cups are made of BPA-

containing plastic.

 

Dental sealant may leach BPA; this is being debated. You may want to

avoid dental sealants on your children's baby teeth.

 

You can minimize your BPA exposure by:

 

Replacing plastic food and drink containers and utensils with glass,

ceramic or metal varieties.

 

Purchasing glass baby bottles.

 

Using baby bottles and sippy cups made of polyethylene plastic (#1,

#2, #4 recycling symbols) or polypropylene (#5) (these are usually

colored, not clear, and should still not be heated).

 

Not using canned foods or foods wrapped in plastic.

 

Not letting children put plastic toys in their mouths.

 

Being careful with BPA-containing plastics, if you choose to use

them. This means not exposing them to heat (microwave, dishwasher) or

harsh detergents (bleach, etc.) and not letting food or beverages sit

in the containers for too long.