Wednesday, July 20, 2011

BPA


What is Bisphenol-A?  a plastics additive; a synthetic form of the estrogen hormone; a ubiquitous industrial chemical in use for over 50 years

Where is it found? in beverage containers, infant feeding bottles, plastic dinnerware and plastic storage containers, in the epoxy resin lining of food and beverage cans; in the cord blood of newborns; in the urine of people who ingest it

What’s the concern?  BPA leaches into the contents of these baby bottles, plastic containers, and cans- into the consumable contents even at cool temps.  In laboratory tests the chemical has been linked to breast and testicular cancers, diabetes, hyperactivity, obesity, lower sperm count, miscarriage reproductive problems, and heart disease. 

What does the FDA say about BPA?  The FDA has no problem with BPA.  After two studies were done on BPA indicating it was harmless, the FDA approved it for use in the US.  After it was revealed that the labs that had conducted those two tests were linked to the chemical industry trade group, studies were done by scientific and university labs.  Those two hundred studies indicated that there were possible problems with BPA.  However the FDA never “pulled” it. 

Has anyone outlawed it? Ten of the fifty United States, the European Union, Canada, China, and a US municipality and various counties (Chicago, some NY counties) have restricted its use.  Manufacturers of most baby bottles have discontinued its use, however the cheaper brands found at some discount stores still carry baby and toddler products that contain BPA. 

Why does the debate still continue?  Babies and children have fewer defenses against irritants and pollutants, plus they have (hopefully) long lives ahead of them during which time they face ingestion of large quantities of possibly harmful “stuff”- like drugs, poisons, additives, pesticides, toxins, and carcinogens.  Therefore some activists and organizations which are watchdogs are crusading against the use of BPA in items that come into contact with food and drink.  The industry is fighting back by casting doubt on the scientific findings.

My take on the situation: Better safe than sorry.  I wonder why we need a synthetic hormone in our food at all.  One more unknown in the giant equation… why take the risk?  Other countries take the approach of banning a chemical until it’s proven safe.  We allow a chemical until it’s proven harmful.  Why?        

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