The BPA Controversy: What’s A Person To Do?
There’s been a lot of media attention lately placed on the safety, or non-safety, of ingesting foods and beverages packaged in polycarbonate containers made from the chemical bisphenol A (BPA). BPA is most often found in baby bottles and water bottles but many other edibles are packaged in containers made from BPA, too.
Earlier this week, the US National Toxicology Program (NTP) issued a report that identifies “some concern” over the safety of BPA-laced products, especially when using these containers to feed infants and small children. Of most concern in the NTP report is the possible connection between BPA exposure and developmental or reproductive disorders. Animal tests also indicate a possible link to breast and prostate cancers.
Last week, the Canadian government announced the commencement of a 60-day period inviting public and industry feedback with regard to BPA-containing products. There is the potential for a nationwide ban on baby bottles that contain BPA but that decision will likely come after the 60-day commentary period has ended. Meanwhile, many of the country’s largest retailers, including Wal-Mart Canada and Sears, have removed all products that contain BPA from their stores’ shelves.
Nalgene, a leading manufacturer of water and baby bottles, announced on April 18 that it would begin a phasing out of the chemical in products made in the future. Market demand for BPA-free bottles has led them to find a healthier, less controversial, product instead.
Proponents of BPA say the health concerns arise from studying the effects of BPA exposure in animals, not people. They also say much of the research is based on injections of BPA and not oral ingestion, the way people gain exposure. There is the possibility that the different avenues of administering the chemical require different processes for metabolization and may skew the safety outcome.
The NTP report placed the level of concern at “some concern,” the level midway between “negligible concern,” or the lowest, and the highest, “serious concern,” on a scale of 1 to 5. One US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) survey found PBA in the urine of 93% of the population aged 6 and older.
So, while there is no clearly drawn conclusion as to the safety, or lack thereof, of exposure to BPA, what’s one to do today to minimize any risk that might be proven conclusively at a later date? The US National Institute of Environmental Health Services offers this advice:
- Don’t microwave polycarbonate containers. These containers are strong, often clear like glass, but practically shatter-proof. High temperatures cause the polycarbonate to deteriorate, releasing BPA into the food being microwaved.
- Look for the number 7 in the recycle code. The number 7 indicates the presence of BPA if it’s a product made from BPA but the number 7 is not limited to BPA alone. There may be a similarly classed chemical present instead but BPA is included in this particular class of chemicals.
- Avoid canned foods whenever possible. Canned goods are lined with an epoxy resin made from BPA that is used to increase shelf life and limit the metallic flavor that once leached into many canned goods.
- Use glass, porcelain, or stainless steel food containers whenever possible. This is especially important if the food or beverage is hot.
- Use only BPA-free baby bottles.
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I heard BPA is in resin dentists use to fill cavities. If this is the case, you may want to get those fixed too, otherwise you’re getting a constant dose of BPA, which is probably worse than occasionally using a container made of BPA containing polycarbonate.
In 1947 when plastic started getting into everything the cancer rate as well as prostrate problems. I had a strong feeling that plastic was the worst thing ever in the lives of human beings. I used to tell people that would listen that glass was safest containers. Glass made of sand does not harm people or the environment when they are discarded. LIke plastic that winds up in drinking warter and in the earth.
BUT almost all people I talked to about it said the government would never allow plastic if it was harmfull.
But big business lobbys sure know how to twist arms and minds of polititions who sell the public ( and their souls )short for personal monitary gain as well as large donations to their campains ar re- election times.
So much fot the government searving the people with little more than doubble speak lip service.
What is natural brings longer and healther life to those that see beyond advertising because they have eyes to see and use them to see. And have ears to hear and hear with them. Like it says on US money “In God we trust.” Most of us in the USA are lead over the cliff by people of greed and power. Yet it does not have to be that way. At 80 yeaers young I can say for sure that that the parents and grandparents of hour generation would never have accepted plastic or anything un natural. Think before you buy anything that comes in any form of plasrtic. The life you save might just be your own and or your loved ones. ON another matter I say to you that the use of cell phones will bring many brain tumers and eved death from the tumers. YET like always not many will do the reasearch to find out if what I say is true, false or in need of more reasearch studys. BUT then what do I know since I am just me, A kid from Brooklyn then Florida and now in New Jersey. Nothing special in any way. Not highly educated and as far from a genious is is possible to get. Yet beleive it or not, all of my life I seem to know things that I do not ask to know or why I know them.
This is hysteria and idiocy to the nth degree. Humans have consumed millions upon millions of gallons of drinking water delivered and stored in polycarbonate containers, and what has the result been? A steadily rising life expectancy and improved health for the vast majority. I rather like pure water that tastes like pure water, not like polyethylene; I rather like the idea that I can store emergency rations in cans for 7-10 years and upon opening them find that they’re as palatable as the day I bought them. Let’s keep the BPA in the containers and tell the Chicken Littles of this world where they should go. (It’s the same place that the Global Warming fearmongers should go.)
I say we should always err on the side of being conservative with what we put in our bodies. If there is any doubt about this chemical, then stop using it. I’ve always been concerned about using any kind of plastic because obviously everything eventually breaks down. And when it breaks down, it is naturally going to leach, which means we will eat or drink it. Water bottles need to be gotten rid of for other reasons too. The number of them that are choking our land fills is staggering. We are slowly poisoning ourselves off the face of the earth and eventually will look like the face of the moon. So buy a stainless reusable water container! How hard is that? I think plastic bags from the grocery store should be banned also. People should have to bring their own cloth ones. Get with the program people and quit being so lazy. QUESTION AUTHORITY!
i am wondering if it has the same negative health effect if we were to freeze a BPA bottle with food or drink in it.
thank you.
Yeah well, they always come out with something new. Once coffee was considered bad for you now they say it is good for you. The just can’t make up their minds.