BPA blowup

Finally the mainstream media is talking about bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical found in many plastics, in light of a new brief by the National Toxicology Program that expresses concern over the substance. As the report puts it, “the possibility that bisphenol A may impact human development cannot be dismissed.”

It’s especially nice to see more light being shed on the fact that the FDA based its sketchy “BPA is safe” stance on two studies funded by the plastic industry [link], ignoring hundreds of government and academic studies that raised red flags about BPA.

In my recent post about the chemical, I expressed surprise to learn that it’s found not only in baby bottles but also in aluminum food cans and beverage cans and bottles. Turns out it’s in numerous other everyday objects, such as CDs, too. Today's Washington Post story on the issue quotes an overseer of the report as saying, “It’s everywhere.... Your cell phone is probably made out of it.”

In Canada, as the New York Times reports, the government is expected to label it toxic in the coming days. Meanwhile, big retailers there, such as Wal-Mart and Home Depot, are already pulling BPA-containing products from their shelves.

Much of the focus in recent reports is on BPA’s presence in baby bottles, sippy cups, and infant formula containers. That’s as it should be, since developing bodies are more affected by endocrine disruptors than adult bodies are.

The Washington Post story points out that BornFree, a company that makes BPA-free baby bottles, can’t keep up with demand. I don’t know about other parents, though, but I’m sticking to glass bottles. Today it’s BPA, but tomorrow...?

Comments

[Earl]

Bisphenol A and phalates are plasticizers. They are added to plastics to make them thicker or more pliable. They do things like make silicone toys more "jelly" or "gummi bear" like. Or to soften the lid of your Nalgene water bottle, and help make plastic wrap clingy. They are often used in "long ingredient list" shampoos, hair conditioners and lotions to make them thicker or more gel like. BPA and phalates are adsorbed transdermally too, and research last year showed that humans have elevated levels in their body in the hours following use of products containing them.

The biggest problem of these is that they are estrogen analogues. How they act when introduced to your body is still up for debate... but hormones like estrogens are basically chemical signals and messengers in your body. The receptors for these chemicals could possibly be receptive to artificial estrogen mimics like these. Another way they could be disrupting is by raising the "noise floor" of messenger molecules in our bodies, making it like carrying on an important conversation in a very noisy room.

Though plasticizers like these are hugely pervasive in manufactured products that we use on our bodies or that contain our foods, it is possible to avoid them. Here's some suggestions about how to:

* Purchase food that has never been human packaged: unwrapped produce is best!

* Foods contained in glass, paper are probably OK. Examples are water, alcohol, dairy and juice products in glass bottles, and bread in paper sleeves. I'm guessing that butter in waxed paper is fine, tho. Foil wrapped butter is probably fine too.

* Avoid preprocessed foods

* Avoid metal packaging. Almost all aluminum and steel ("tin") cans are all lined with plastic. The jury is still out about aluminum causing Alzheimer's, but I feel better about aluminum foil than plastics next to my food.

* Keep plastics out of your dishwasher, and only use warm (not hot) water to wash them.

* Avoid polycarbonate (Lexan) containers. They break down over time and have a high level of plasticizers.

[Earl]

I've found more updated information. Some of the things I mentioned yesterday are not quite accurate.

According to this article on Enviroblog, http://www.enviroblog.org/2008/03/bpa-questions-answered.htm, phthlates are no longer used in any American plastic wraps. However, no consumers know what ARE in them, so you're probably best keeping them out of the microwave (use a paper towel instead) or at least using the ones marketed as microwavable.

Eden Organic Foods apparently uses uses cans with a BPA free liner, http://www.edenfoods.com/about/environment.php but are apparently the only ones in the US to do so. I hope this catches on. The cans are apparently only 13.77% more expensive. I'm willing to pay those pennies.

The good news? Due to the Canadian government threat of outlawing BPA in all food packaging and containers, Walmart is pulling all their BPA packed foods in Canada! Nalgene is pulling all their polycarbonate bottles marketed as water bottles due to consumer concern (it took a while, but that's what you get for marketing to outdoorsy folks ;).

Hopefully, America will follow suit. There are alternatives!

But really, keep on shopping your farmer's markets, buy organic and eat less processed and more whole foods!

Besides, it tastes better!

-Dodger