BPA in Plastic Really is Bad for You!
A new report released by the National Toxicology Program upgrades the concerns about bisphenol-A, a ubiquitous ingredient in plastic products.
By Anastacia Mott Austin
Don’t say I didn’t warn you. A previous Buzzle report from last fall (see "BPA in Plastic Bad for You, Experts Caution" in the Buzzle archives) warned of the possible health hazards to humans from BPA, or bisphenol-A, a common material used in plastic manufacturing.
This week the National Toxicology Program released a new report stating that there is "some concern" to human neurological health that "cannot be dismissed," especially for babies and young children, an upgrade over their report released last fall.
The latest report cited studies in which rats exposed to BPA developed prostate tumors, breast tissue changes, premature puberty, kidney problems, and other health issues.
"It's a scary compound," said Pete Myers, a representative from the Environmental Health Sciences, an agency which studies the relationship between chemical exposures and cancer. Added Myers to reporters, "It's an important step to have a federal agency acknowledge that it has concerns about bisphenol-A and breast cancer and prostate cancer."
This and earlier studies already pointed out the fact that the vast majority of Americans have at least traces of BPA in their bodies. More than 93% of Americans tested had some BPA in their urine.
BPA was originally introduced as an estrogen-mimic, though its use now is primarily reserved for polycarbonate plastic production.
The recent study is not the first to point out the dangers of BPA. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences released a report last summer which indicated that BPA could be causing reproductive harm in lab testing. Their study involved a group of young mice exposed to low levels (lower than is found in most humans) of BPA. When tested later during early adulthood, those exposed to BPA had a much higher incidence of developing reproductive tumors.
Especially concerning is the fact that BPA is found in most plastic baby bottles, and in some sippy cups, as well as lining cans of formula, so babies and young children may be getting higher levels of exposure than adults, during a time of important neurological development.
Not surprisingly, the American Chemistry Council, which represents many plastics manufacturers, had a different take on the wording of there being "some concern" about BPA. The Council released a press statement which read, in part, "[The report] affirms that there are no serious or high level concerns for adverse effects of bisphenol-A on human reproduction and development."
Mmm-hmmm. In the meantime, the government of Canada is considering banning BPA in all products, and some states, including New Jersey, have already issued a ban on the sale of BPA-containing products.
While you’re standing around waiting for the American government to get a clue and ban BPA (don’t hold your breath), here are a few tips – which will look familiar to those of you who read my earlier report – from seven months ago:
* Avoid canned foods such as soups and tomato-based pastas, which had the highest levels of BPA, and canned infant formula, which had over 200 times the recommended safety levels of BPA.
* Check the recycling number on the bottom of plastics. No.7 is most likely to be made of the hard polycarbonate plastics that contain BPA. Numbers 2, 4, and 5 are more likely made of polyethylene, which – so far – has not been shown to be harmful to health. However, just because a government study hasn’t proven harm, it’s still a good idea to exercise caution when using any plastic.
* B-vitamins seem to neutralize the effects of BPA, so take your vitamins!
* Baby bottles and sippy cups had high levels of BPA as well, so avoiding these might be a good idea. Pliable, "cloudy" plastics such as the Medela brand baby bottles don’t contain BPA.
* Some plastic wraps contain BPA, so check the labels for "BPA-free" wraps.
* Consider using an alternative to plastic water bottles, like natural plastic alternatives. Biota makes a corn-based plastic for its natural spring water. The bottle dissolves in 70-80 days, and uses no petroleum products in its manufacturing process. Other companies are experimenting with compostable or biodegradable plastics made from corn, hemp, or potatoes.
Or think about stepping out of the Plastic Age, as much as is possible. Glass food or beverage containers can make as much sense as plastic, so consider the possibilities for expanding beyond the overwhelming use of plastics. It’s better for you, and better for the planet.
Don’t say I didn’t warn you. A previous Buzzle report from last fall (see "BPA in Plastic Bad for You, Experts Caution" in the Buzzle archives) warned of the possible health hazards to humans from BPA, or bisphenol-A, a common material used in plastic manufacturing.
This week the National Toxicology Program released a new report stating that there is "some concern" to human neurological health that "cannot be dismissed," especially for babies and young children, an upgrade over their report released last fall.
The latest report cited studies in which rats exposed to BPA developed prostate tumors, breast tissue changes, premature puberty, kidney problems, and other health issues.
"It's a scary compound," said Pete Myers, a representative from the Environmental Health Sciences, an agency which studies the relationship between chemical exposures and cancer. Added Myers to reporters, "It's an important step to have a federal agency acknowledge that it has concerns about bisphenol-A and breast cancer and prostate cancer."
This and earlier studies already pointed out the fact that the vast majority of Americans have at least traces of BPA in their bodies. More than 93% of Americans tested had some BPA in their urine.
BPA was originally introduced as an estrogen-mimic, though its use now is primarily reserved for polycarbonate plastic production.
The recent study is not the first to point out the dangers of BPA. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences released a report last summer which indicated that BPA could be causing reproductive harm in lab testing. Their study involved a group of young mice exposed to low levels (lower than is found in most humans) of BPA. When tested later during early adulthood, those exposed to BPA had a much higher incidence of developing reproductive tumors.
Especially concerning is the fact that BPA is found in most plastic baby bottles, and in some sippy cups, as well as lining cans of formula, so babies and young children may be getting higher levels of exposure than adults, during a time of important neurological development.
Not surprisingly, the American Chemistry Council, which represents many plastics manufacturers, had a different take on the wording of there being "some concern" about BPA. The Council released a press statement which read, in part, "[The report] affirms that there are no serious or high level concerns for adverse effects of bisphenol-A on human reproduction and development."
Mmm-hmmm. In the meantime, the government of Canada is considering banning BPA in all products, and some states, including New Jersey, have already issued a ban on the sale of BPA-containing products.
While you’re standing around waiting for the American government to get a clue and ban BPA (don’t hold your breath), here are a few tips – which will look familiar to those of you who read my earlier report – from seven months ago:
* Avoid canned foods such as soups and tomato-based pastas, which had the highest levels of BPA, and canned infant formula, which had over 200 times the recommended safety levels of BPA.
* Check the recycling number on the bottom of plastics. No.7 is most likely to be made of the hard polycarbonate plastics that contain BPA. Numbers 2, 4, and 5 are more likely made of polyethylene, which – so far – has not been shown to be harmful to health. However, just because a government study hasn’t proven harm, it’s still a good idea to exercise caution when using any plastic.
* B-vitamins seem to neutralize the effects of BPA, so take your vitamins!
* Baby bottles and sippy cups had high levels of BPA as well, so avoiding these might be a good idea. Pliable, "cloudy" plastics such as the Medela brand baby bottles don’t contain BPA.
* Some plastic wraps contain BPA, so check the labels for "BPA-free" wraps.
* Consider using an alternative to plastic water bottles, like natural plastic alternatives. Biota makes a corn-based plastic for its natural spring water. The bottle dissolves in 70-80 days, and uses no petroleum products in its manufacturing process. Other companies are experimenting with compostable or biodegradable plastics made from corn, hemp, or potatoes.
Or think about stepping out of the Plastic Age, as much as is possible. Glass food or beverage containers can make as much sense as plastic, so consider the possibilities for expanding beyond the overwhelming use of plastics. It’s better for you, and better for the planet.
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