The Truth about BPA-Related Health Risks
by Colleen Bednarz, Nubius Organics
After nearly forty years of use as a common industrial chemical, shocking and controversial
health information concerning the chemical BPA found in baby bottles grabbed the
attention of the media and parents around the world, unleashing a flurry of investigations
into the health risks associated with this toxic chemical. In a recent study conducted
by the Center for Disease Control, scientists found BPA in the urine of nearly all
of the people tested, which indicates widespread exposure to BPA in the U.S. population.
On March 29th, the EPA released breaking news: the EPA added BPA to its list of
"chemicals of concern," and will now begin conducting an Environmental
Impact investigation into the BPA toxin. This news comes just two and a half months
after the FDA changed their stance on BPA by releasing a cautionary statement naming
BPA as a safety risk.
It has been found that BPA mimics the estrogen hormone, a hormone that controls
brain development, the reproductive system, and the development of growing fetuses.
BPA has been linked to hormone disruptions, birth defects, endocrine disruption,
developmental problems in children, Neuroblastoma, and an increased risk of asthma,
prostate cancer, breast cancer, sexual dysfunction, early puberty, heart disease,
and a whole slew of neurological problems.
“There is clear, credible evidence in the growing number of scientific studies
that link Bisphenol A to the very health effects we see on the rise today,”
says Christopher Gavigan, executive director of Healthy Child, Healthy World.
It is highly recommended that everyone, especially parents, take every possible
precaution to ensure that their food containers and beverage bottles are guaranteed
to be BPA-free. BPA can be found in plastic food containers, the lining of metal
cans, sippy cups, water and baby bottles that we drink out of each day, and other
products such as plastic dinnerware, teethers, pacifier, and toys. The BPA toxin
is ingested by humans after it has leached into our food and beverages through these
plastic products, a process which is additionally accelerated through exposure to
heat. Research has found that each time a plastic product runs through the dishwasher
or microwave, it breaks down chemically at an exponential rate, which further increases
health risks. We are also exposed to BPA at a lower levels through the basic use
of these plastic products.
The breakdown of the BPA chemical can similarly be accelerated through contact with
acidic substances such as apple juice and tomatoes, fatty foods like fish, and various
alcohols, including cleaning agents.
In general, avoid plastics with the Recycling Code #3, #6 or #7 since they each
contain higher levels of toxins, but #3 and #7 are the plastics reported to contain
BPA. Technically speaking, BPA is a toxic, industrial chemical used to make epoxy
resins and polycarbonate plastics, which is used to harden plastics. Safer choices
can be found in plastics labeled #1, #2, #4, and #5, as they require the use of
less toxic additives, and are also non-chlorinated.
First and foremost, make sure your baby bottles and products are BPA-free, and do
not buy liquid formula in cans lined with BPA plastic. Contact the manufacturers
for information and do online research if you don't see it mentioned in the labeling,
there is a world of information out there and your children's health, of course,
is worth every effort.
The Quick & Easy Read - How to Avoid BPA:
- Invest in 100% BPA-free options such as glass, porcelain, and stainless steel.
- Choose BPA-free baby bottles, sippy cups, pacifiers, water bottles, food containers,
and toys for your children.
- Research companies that guarantee their products are BPA-free, such as Nubius Organics.
- Liquid infant formula, when sold in a cans lined with BPA plastic, is reported to
contain BPA, while the FDA reports that powdered infant formula contains little
to no traces of BPA. Do your research, companies that care about the health of your
children will not sell products in BPA-lined cans.
- Look for the Recycling Codes, if it says #3, #6, or #7, avoid it at all costs. Choose
safer plastics labeled with #1, #2, # 4 and #5.
- Avoid exposing all plastics to heat sources such as dishwashers and microwaves.
- Discard scratched and worn bottles and feeding cups, as chemicals are released more
readily when distressed.
- Make sure your infant formula, canned foods, and yes, even your beer come in cans
not lined with BPA plastics.
- Avoid acidic canned foods such as tomatoes, as acids accelerate the leaching of
BPA.
-
For BPA-free Bottles and Feeding Products
The good news is; even the pro-plastic, pro-BPA American Chemistry Council reports
the six major U.S. manufacturers of baby bottles and infant feeding cups (who represent
over 90% of the market) have confirmed with the FDA that as of January 2009 they
stopped manufacturing these products using BPA for the U.S. market. These manufacturers
include the brands Avent, Doctor Brown’s Natural Flow, Evenflow, First Essentials,
Gerber, Munchkin, Nuk, and Playtex. Which means the U.S. market is now safer,
but what about the rest of the world?
The best advice on the BPA issue is to first understand the issue, and then find
the companies you can trust. There is an ever-increasing eco-friendly world out
there, with companies who will guarantee their products are BPA-free. These are
the companies you want on your side, because the health of our children always comes
first.
For trustworthy information from the Center For Disease Control, check out
the CDC fact sheet on BPA exposure
Read the Press Release: Breaking News: EPA to investigate environmental impact of BPA
More information on
EPA’s BPA action plan
For more information on BPA
Nubius Organic is a woman-owned, eco-goods company committed to providing tools,
tips, and information for sustainable living. They provide a 100% BPA-free pledge
to their customers, always. For BPA-free bottles, reusable bottles and bags, sustainable
toys, eco-friendly gifts, reusable lunch kits, and green solutions, visit www.nubiusorganics.com.