An article in the Boston Globe today revealed that a US Agency has FINALLY come to the conclusion the bisphenol-A (BPA) - a chemical commonly found in polycarbonate plastics - and closely mimics estrogen. Why should we care? There is some evidence that it may produce early puberty in girls, and fetus and baby exposure to BPA may cause prostrate or breast cancer later on in life. BPA is used as antioxidants in food and cosmetics. It also may be linked to obesity and schizophrenia.
According to the article, BPA levels in adults aren't thought to be anything to worry about. I wonder whether that applies to woman who are pregnant or may become pregnant...
How best to avoid BPA, if you believe the research? Don't eat canned food - BPA is in the plastic that lines the cans. It's in PET plastics (soda & water bottles) - don't put hot liquids, acidic or basic substances in PET bottles; it's in PVC; and it's in some dental sealants.
Coca-cola products have a pH range of 2.5 -4.2. Coke classic has a pH pf 2.5... so if BPA is released from the PET when it comes in contact with an acidic liquid - guess what is in your soda? This is the point where I am very happy I don't drink soda. Or bottled water (I carry my own stainless steel canteen around).
The CDC has said that in a study of samples from adults in developed country, 95% of the samples contained measurable BPA. 95% of us are walking around with BPA in our systems. Not too surprising, but how many of those samples were from pregnant or nursing women?
How is infant formula sold? in a can... how to get that formula into the baby? a bottle...
The BPA issue isn't new. This is just the first time a US government agency has accepted that it may be unsafe. And then there was my surprise at finding the article in the Boston Globe, which - lets be honest - isn't the greatest of all newspapers. I think they are owned by the New York Times now. It's hard to respect a publication with such poor grammatical editing. But the dumbing down of America (if there is such a thing) is another topic for another time.
Post Script: I've just read in "Chews Wise" that Canada is supposed to BAN BPA this week. Yet another reason I wish I really HAD moved to Canada back when Bush was elected the first time around.
3 comments:
NO! Get your facts straight before crying wolf and spreading misinformation. Most small water bottles are NOT polycarbonate (a.k.a. one of the types of #7 plastic labeled plastic containers). They are usually #1 PETE or #2 HDPE plastic, which do NOT contain BPA!
I stand corrected. However, BPA is found in those Lexan Nalgene bottles that have been so popular until recently. But not, apparently, in soda bottles. BPA is in baby bottles (unless stated otherwise - Canada has outlawed BPA in baby bottles now, which is making BPA-free baby bottles easier to find in the U.S.), sippy cups, and the lining of canned foods.
The lack of civility in your comment, however, made me second guess whether I wanted to publish this comment or not. I don't have a problem admitting when I'm mistaken, but I do take offense to rudeness. In the future, I will NOT be publishing rude comments, regardless of how true or valid the comments are. I may simply edit the original posts content.
If that is all Mr. Steve has to say, he has not said anything that helps to solve a problem. I suggest that attack-people take problem solving classes and teamwork class before posting snooty comments. Steve is apparently interested in the BPA topic,thus read the article and possibly even has genuine concern for the well-being of all human life. However, blasting someone with "NO! Get your facts ..." will seldom help you gain ground with other human beings. Toxins and similar life altering compounds are of high concern to most people ,so if you want to really help, just modify your approach. Well, on the other hand, Steve, I may be wrong since you may have been born perfect.
Post a Comment