Food and Drug Administration is expressing concerns about possible health risks from Bisphenol A (BPA), a widely used component of plastic bottles and food packaging.
The concern is about the potential effects of BPA on the brain, behavior and prostate gland of fetuses, infants and children.
The recent findings are based on studies that have found harmful effects in animals, and on the recognition that the chemical seeps into food and baby formula, and that nearly everyone is exposed to it, starting in the womb.
BPA has been used since the 1960s to make hard plastic bottles, Sippy Cups for toddlers and the linings of food and beverage cans, including the cans used to hold infant formula and soda. Until recently, it was used in baby bottles.
The chemicals can leach into food, and a study of more than 2,000 people found that more than 90 percent of them had BPA in their urine. Traces have also been found in breast milk, the blood of pregnant women and umbilical cord blood.
Over time, the chemical can leach into the contents of a plastic container, particularly one that is used in a microwave oven or cleaned in a dishwasher.
BPA’s potential to disrupt the hormonal system!
Bisphenol A can leach into food from the protective internal epoxy resin coatings of canned foods and from consumer products such as polycarbonate tableware, food storage containers, water bottles, and baby bottles. The degree to which BPA leaches from polycarbonate bottles into liquid may depend more on the temperature of the liquid or bottle, than the age of the container.
What can you do to avoid these chemicals?
Don’t microwave polycarbonate plastic food containers. Polycarbonate is strong and durable, but over time it may break down from overuse at high temperatures.
Polycarbonate containers that contain BPA usually have a #7 on the bottom. Avoid this Number. Look at your Bottled water closely.
Reduce your use of canned foods.
When possible, opt for glass, porcelain or stainless steel containers, particularly for hot food or liquids.
Use baby bottles that are BPA free.
Only hard and clear plastic bottles are made from polycarbonate. As a general rule, if you can easily squeeze the bottle, it is not made from polycarbonate plastic and does not contain Bishpenol A.
Throw away scratched or worn bottles or cups made with BPA (it can leak from the scratches),
Avoid putting hot liquids into cups or bottles with BPA and check the labels on containers to make sure they are microwave safe.
Breastfeed your infants for at least 12 months.
What are the Numbers?
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What do They Mean?
#1 PET or PETE – Questionable – depending on the quality, repeated use may cause the leaching of DEHA, a know human carcinogen. Light gauge containers such as store bought pop bottles should be a one time use only. Heavier gauge containers show no evidence of leaching chemicals.
#2 HDPE – OK – not known to leach unwanted chemicals.
#3 PVC or V – Bad – Strong evidence to show the leaching of DEHA, a known human carcinogen.
#4 LDPE – OK – not known to leach unwanted chemicals although not as widely recycled as #1 or #2.
#5 PP – OK – not known to leach unwanted chemicals although not as widely recycledKlean Kanteen as #1 or #2.
#6 PS – Bad – suspected to possibly leach harmful carcinogens
#7 Assorted but usually polycarbonate – Bad – may contain leaching BPA.
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