The chemical bisphenol A has been swirling controversy for a now over a decade, though people have been reportedly concerned about it since the 1930s. Studies, rising in number, have continually shown this chemical to be linked to health risk, particularly when exposure occurs prenatally or in young children.
What is BPA and Where is it Found?
BPA, or bisphenol A, is a chemical commonly added to some plastics. It is found in linings of canned foods and beverages, water bottles, baby bottles, sippy cups, dental sealants, plastic wraps, toys, kitchen storage containers, etc. It is usually found in plastics labeled with the recycle number 7 and sometimes number 3. The BPA can leech from the container to the food or beverage item, especially in warmer temperatures; sometimes at a rate that is far above that considered "safe" by the FDA.
Why Could BPA be Harmful?
BPA is in a class of chemicals that are known as endocrine disruptors. These chemicals mimic estrogen in the body and could cause unwanted alterations in the bodies chemistry and cells. Many believe these changes have lead to reproductive issues, breast cancer, hyperactivity, immune dysfunction and much more. One recent study also links BPA to aggression in little girls.
What is Being Done?
There is some good news on the horizon regarding BPA legislation. Earlier this year, congress introduced a bill that would ban all BPA from food and beverage containers. That came after a decision by the chemical company, Sunoco, which stated that it would no longer sell BPA to companies for use in making food and water containers for children under three years of age. Playtex, Gerber and four other baby bottle manufacturers also made the decision to stop using BPA in their bottles.
Tips for BPA Reduction
- Phase out and eliminate plastic in your kitchen. Switch to stainless steel for lunch containers. Use wax bags to wrap sandwiches for lunches. Switch to glass or stainless steel storage containers for the refrigerator. Never put warm food into a plastic container and do not use plastic containers in the microwave. Plastics are also not recommended in the dishwasher.
- Scrap the plastic water bottles. Choose to take your own water with you instead in a BPA-free stainless steel or glass bottle. Plastic water bottles are not always kept cold and have the potential for leeching large amounts of BPA into the drinking water contained within.
- Do not eat canned food or drink canned beverages. Almost every canned item consumed contains BPA and many times food was not cold when put into the can. Canned goods are a possible source of extremely high levels of BPA.
- Avoid microwavable plates and oven ware that contain and could leach BPA into food.
- Ask the dentist about alternatives to dental sealants containing BPA.
Sources:
Prenatal Bisphenol A Exposure and Early Childhood Behavior, October 6, 2009, Environmental Health Perspectives, online.; Congress moves to ban BPA in all food containers. Meg Kissinger. Pittsburg Post Gazette, March, 2009.
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