Bisphenol A (BPA) - Hype or emerging science?

I struggle to understand how air works, so I certainly can’t easily grasp any medical effects from the leaching of a synthesized chemical compound in my plastic products. However I can google like nobodies business. I dug around and put together this info on Bisphenol A, aka BPA.

What is it?
Bisphenol A is a chemical compound that is used as a component in polycarbonate plastic, epoxy resins and PVC. It was evaluated in the 1930s for use as a synthetic estrogen, but was not used as better solutions were found. BPA is found in countless daily plastic related items and even in the interior coating of food cans.

So what?
It’s all about the study results. More than 100 studies published in peer-reviewed journals have linked BPA, even in very low doses, to cancers, immune deficiencies, obesity, diabetes, and developmental issues. A Japanese study found that babies who put products containing BPA into their mouths can leach significant levels of the chemical from the plastic.

The EPA published their 1993 Bisphenol A study details which declare it to be safe. It’s interesting to note that the time frame for their analysis is only 90 days after consumption. Looking at the list of suspected effects from BPA it would seem that all of them occur in a much longer time frame than 90 days. Also the EPA testing skipped carcinogenicity entirely.

Solution?
BPA appears in a myriad of plastic products, so the large scale solution has to come from industry standards. If you’re the action type then by all means contact your appropriate politician. Where you can make an intelligent choice is in the products you use. An easy win would be using BPA free drinking bottles and baby products. For example, if you use a nalgene or other plastic drinking bottle, instead try out these stainless steel bottles at Klean Kanteen.

Babies are a particular focus of BPA exposure. Baby bottles are predominately polycarbonate and leach BPA in significant doses into babies, who are highly susceptible to the effects of BPA. BabySafe’s web site keeps a list of BPA safe bottles and information on the topic. The list is located here: Baby safe bottles. They recommend glass bottles or Medela and Sassy brand plastic (polypropylene) bottles. I recommend also contacting your preferred baby bottle company and requesting they change the plastic they make their bottles from. If you are unable to locate the contact info for a company let me know and I’ll help you track it down.

Summary
More than 100 studies published in peer-reviewed journals show the detrimental effects of BPA, while government and plastics industry research does not. This is the pattern of almost everything that we gradually learn is harmful, so you may as well get on board now. It’s very easy to use safe products today, primarily baby related and drink containers. In shopping wisely you are encouraging companies to create BPA free products, and all indications are that would be a good thing.

- shawn

[source: epa | food navigator | wikipedia]