Bisphenol A (BPA): What it is, where it's found, and what you can do to limit ex

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Bisphenol A (BPA): What it is, where it's found, and what you can do to

limit exposure

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What is Bisphenol A?

There has been a lot of talk about the chemical Bisphenol A and the possible

negative health effects it has on humans - but what exactly is it?

Bisphenol A, or BPA, is an organic compound that is used for the production of

polymer plastics, industrial-strength epoxies, dental fillings, fungicides,

plastic

containers, home electronics, and many other things. It has been used

commercially for over 50 years and the current worldwide production of BPA is

estimated to be over 3.3 million metric tons.

First created in the late 1800's, BPA's effects on animals were not

extensively tested until the 1930's. Tests on laboratory mice revealed BPA's

ability

to mimic estrogen in the body and it was even considered a possible estrogen

replacement for human consumption. However, a series of tests performed in

the 1990's raised concerns about human exposure to BPA.

In the laboratory, even low-dose exposure of BPA to rats caused early

developmental problems, neurotoxicity, hormone disruption, and even

carcinogenic

effects. BPA is now suspected to promote the precursors to breast cancer and,

due to its ability to active fat-cell activity, has even been linked to

obesity

The BPA Controversy: Is BPA Dangerous?

Scientists and research firms are divided on the actual affects BPA exposure

has on humans, though both sides agree that BPA causes acute health problems

in laboratory animals and that over 90% of the US population, including

infants and children, have measurable levels of BPA in their bodies.

As consumer awareness grows, the lack of conclusive evidence for either side

of the case has caused heated debate.

The Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Drug Agency, the plastics

industry, and others have insisted that normal, everyday exposure to BPA is not

harmful to humans. However, the US National Institutes of Health, the US

National Toxicology Program, Canada's Department of Health, and other federal

and

private organizations have expressed concern over BPA's toxicity and have

called for more independent study. A recent article by the _Washington Post_

(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/14/AR2008071402145\

..

html) , discussing the influence funding has had on BPA study results,

illustrates the intensity and depth of this controversy.

The Search for BPA Free Alternatives

Meanwhile, parents and other health-conscience consumers have began taking

active steps to reduce BPA exposure in the home. An entire industry of BPA

free products has surfaced as big box retailers like Toys R' Us, Patagonia,

Whole Foods Markets, and even Wal-Mart have emptied their shelves of many

products containing BPA.

It is known that most BPA exposure occurs through ingestion, prompting water

bottle, toy, and food container companies to create BPA free alternatives.

Polycarbonate plastics, the main suspect in BPA leaching through plastics,

are becoming more and more scarce among top name brand products.

How to limit your exposure

Daily BPA exposure comes from 4 major sources; water bottles, baby bottles

and sippy cups, storage containers, and canned foods. By replacing

polycarbonate containers and slightly modifying your eating habits, you can

help limit

BPA exposure to yourself and your family.

Water Bottles

Water bottles are everywhere. For years, the scientific equipment company,

Nalge Nunc International dominated the market with their _Nalgene water

bottles_ (http://hubpages.com/hub/bpafreewaterbottle) . Using cheap and

durable

polycarbonate plastic, they scored huge profits while reusable water bottles

became nearly ubiquitous in everyday life. Other companies such as Camelbak

and Rubbermaid also shared in the spotlight.

That is until recently.

As BPA awareness spread, consumers began looking for alternatives to

polycarbonate. Some have switched to _metal bottles_

(http://hubpages.com/hub/bpafree) , such as Sigg and Klean Kanteen though many

people have voiced concern

over the possibility of BPA occurring in Sigg’s inner-bottle epoxy lining,

the contents of which are a secret. Others have claimed a metallic taste when

using Klean Kanteen’s stainless steel bottles.

Working closely with water bottle manufacturers, Eastman Chemical Company

has created a BPA-free, 100% non-toxic polycarbonate substitute called

“Tritan.â€

Several companies, including Nalgene and Camelbak have quickly adopted

Tritan as their favored material for new bottle lines.

If you decide to go with plastic, ensure that the water bottle is made from

one of the following:

· Tritan Copolyesther, available now from several manufacturers.

* Titan Water Bottle

* Camelbak Better Bottle

.. High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), which is opaque and used in milk jugs

and Tupperware containers

* SKS Bottle

* Nalgene HDPE

.. Polypropylene (PP), which is soft and used in hydration bladders

* Platypus

For more information on BPA free water bottles, visit a link below:

_http://hubpages.com/hub/Bisphenol-A-in-Plastic-Bottles-Play-It-Safe-with-Alte

rnatives_

(http://hubpages.com/hub/Bisphenol-A-in-Plastic-Bottles-Play-It-Safe-with-Altern\

atives)

_http://www.amazon.com/BPA-free-Water-Bottles/lm/RHYLA1DHA18VX_

(http://www.amazon.com/BPA-free-Water-Bottles/lm/RHYLA1DHA18VX)

_http://www.active.com/gear/Articles/BPA-free_Water_Bottles.htm_

(http://www.active.com/gear/Articles/BPA-free_Water_Bottles.htm)

Baby Bottles and Sippy Cups

Many scientists agree that BPA exposure is most dangerous to developing

infants and children. Nearly all research shows that in laboratory animals,

low

doses of BPA affects the developmental processes of young animals.

For this reason, many parents have sought BPA-free alternatives to baby

bottles and sippy cups. Many retailers have pulled polycarbonate baby products

from their shelves and some, such as Toys R Us have offered parents the

opportunity to exchange their polycarbonate bottles for free.

There are also many places online where concerned parents can find

information and alternatives:

* Newborn Free

* Diapers etc.

* Green Mama

For more information on BPA leaching in baby bottles and sippy cups, visit a

link below:

_http://www.squidoo.com/bisphenol-A_ (http://www.squidoo.com/bisphenol-A)

_http://babyproducts.about.com/od/feedingdrinks/tp/BPA_free_baby_bottles.htm_

(http://babyproducts.about.com/od/feedingdrinks/tp/BPA_free_baby_bottles.htm)

 

_http://safemama.com/2007/11/22/bpa-free-bottle-and-sippy-cup-cheat-sheet/_

(http://safemama.com/2007/11/22/bpa-free-bottle-and-sippy-cup-cheat-sheet/)

Food Containers

Some plastic storage containers are made durable with polycarbonate. These

can leach BPA into foods especially when heated, washed with harsh

detergents, or are scratched or damaged.

Luckily, many retailers, both online and brick and mortar, have began

marking BPA free plastic food containers. If you have questions, check out

the

recycling code on the bottom of most food containers. If it doesn’t say BPA

free or have a recycling code, it is likely made cheaply from polycarbonate

plastics.

For more information on BPA leaching in food containers, visit a link below:

 

_http://healthnews.uc.edu/news/?/758/_ (http://healthnews.uc.edu/news/?/758/)

 

_http://www.drcranton.com/nutrition/plastics_diabetes_obesity.htm_

(http://www.drcranton.com/nutrition/plastics_diabetes_obesity.htm)

_http://www.amazon.com/Bpa-Free-bottles-amp-food-containers/lm/R16KAD0HO6KZS2_

 

(http://www.amazon.com/Bpa-Free-bottles-amp-food-containers/lm/R16KAD0HO6KZS2)

Canned Foods

Industrial epoxies are used to line cans of fruit, meats, vegetables, soft

drinks, and other food items. These epoxies prevent leaching of toxic

chemicals from the metal can but can leach BPA into the food or drink it

contains.

In fact, BPA leaching from a single can of food or drink is, according to

some research, enough to cause noticeable health effects in laboratory animals.

What can we do about it? Not much. While consumer groups are urging

tighter controls on the use of epoxies containing BPA until further research is

conducted, few alternatives exist for those accustomed to eating canned foods.

Buying only jarred foods and drinks sold in glass containers is the easiest

way to cut down on BPA exposure through cans.

For more information on BPA leaching in canned goods, visit a link below.

_http://www.environmentalhealth.ca/summer07plasticchemical.html_

(http://www.environmentalhealth.ca/summer07plasticchemical.html)

_http://www.naturalnews.com/021761.html_

(http://www.naturalnews.com/021761.html)

BPA: Just Another Scare?

Until the issue is resolved, many people are choosing to err on the side of

caution. Just as it took many years for the scientific community to realize

and publicize the toxicity of mercury and asbestos, it may be many years

before consumers get a definitive answer as to the effects of Bisphenol A on

the

human body.