Bisphenol A: A Hidden Danger

Bisphenol A or BPA seems like a lovely thing. Plastics and coatings made with it, like polycarbonate plastic, are lightweight, high-performance plastic that possess a unique balance of toughness, optical clarity, high heat resistance, and excellent electrical resistance – so they are good at not absorbing flavors or changing the flavor of items stored in them, and they look and feel like glass but are light and near-unbreakable. Sounds like a dream product until you consider its hazards – over time, the chemical can leach into the contents of the container and potentially cause harm to those who ingest those contents – which could be you or your baby.

We say “potentially” because it’s not yet conclusive, hence the reason why it hasn’t been banned from being used in production yet even though it has been suspected of being hazardous since the 1930s. Yet several studies have been conducted that found that BPA may disrupt the hormonal system, accelerate puberty, pose a cancer risk, and increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes in adults.

In 2008, the government of Canada listed BPA as a toxic substance under its environmental protection act. They have since then introduced regulations that will ban selling, advertising, manufacturing or importing baby bottles made with BPA-related plastics as well as worked on minimizing or eliminating BPA-based linings in cans used for infant formula. Infants are the most vulnerable after all.

Bisphenol A Action Plan, stating: “EPA intends to consider initiating immediate actions addressing BPA in the environment based on concerns for potential effects in aquatic species. At the same time, EPA will continue to work with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) to better determine and evaluate the human health consequences of BPA exposures. Based on the results of those efforts, EPA will consider whether further action is needed to address human health risks resulting from non-food-packaging uses of BPA.”

BPA is a high production volume chemical which is used in manufacturing most or all polycarbonate plastics, the majority of epoxy resins, and certain other products such as flame retardants. Its many uses include automotive and other transportation equipment, optical media such as DVDs, electrical/electronics equipment, construction, linings inside drinking water pipes, thermal and carbonless paper coatings, and foundry casting. We eat, breathe and live in this stuff, so if it’s actually harmful, then by golly, it had better be banned! So we’re glad that EPA is taking these steps and we hope they will get their tests done quickly.

BPA Facts to Watch Out For:

• BPA lines the cans of almost all food items (including food cans).
• BPA leaching is accelerated by heating, but is not necessary to cause leaching.
• BPA is an artificial estrogen (could be potentially dangerous to unborn fetuses and gowing children).
• BPA can appear in “microwave safe” plastics.
• BPA is NOT FOUND in plastic containers labeled with the following numbers: 1,2,5.

Looking for some BPA free goodies? BPA free water bottle, BPA free storage containers, BPA free Theething toy