Bisphenol-A (BPA) has been in the news a lot lately. BPA is a component of plastics found in many commonly used products, including baby bottles, water bottles, food containers, aluminum can linings, CDs, and eyeglasses.

You can generally gauge the risk of BPA content by the type of plastic (as designated by the number inside the recycling symbol): #7 plastics (polycarbonates) carry the greatest risk of BPA content; #2, #4, and #5 plastics carry the lowest risk of BPA content.

The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) found BPA in 93% of the people tested (for more info on this study, click here). In mammals, BPA (at levels as low as 2-5 parts per billion) mimics estrogen. Many scientists believe that exposure to BPA can lead to numerous health problems, including cancer, premature puberty, hyperactivity, and, in men, low sperm counts or infertile sperm. Recent studies also indicate links to obesity and schizophrenia. The problem with BPA arises over time, as the chemical bonds in plastics weaken and the BPA begins to leech out. Exposure to heat accelerates this process. Unfortunately, much of the BPA leakage makes its way into humans.

Perhaps the greatest concern is BPA's effect on infants, whose developing brains are more susceptible to toxins. Dr. Maida Galvez, a pediatrician studying BPA, recommends parents stay away from bottles containing the chemical and says, "We know the animal studies raise concerns, but there aren't human studies showing effects yet ... so, when we don't have the evidence, what we recommend is that parents try to err on the side of caution." The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) maintains its decades-old approval of polycarbonate bottles as safe, based on two studies which were both funded by the plastics industry. However, recent studies give cause for concern. Health Canada, the Canadian regulatory body equivalent to the FDA, recently became the first in the world to declare Bisphenol-A "dangerous", the first step toward instituting a ban. And the National Toxicology Program, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, found "some concern" that low levels of BPA cause changes in behavior and the brain, prostate gland, mammary gland and the age at which girls enter puberty.

To safeguard your family from BPA, consider taking the following steps:

• use BPA-free baby bottles, sippy cups, and pacifiers
• choose BPA-free lunch boxes
• avoid canned infant formula
• don't give plastic toys to children who are teething
• avoid canned sodas and canned food items with acidic contents (e.g., tomatoes or citrus)
• use water bottles made from glass, stainless steel, or BPA-free plastic
• avoid heat exposure for plastics used for storing food or beverages; wash plastic containers in cold or warm water and do not dry them in the dishwasher; avoid microwaving plastic containers

For more info on BPA, see Wikipedia.

About the author:
Randy King is the co-founder of DwellSmart, a store specializing in eco-friendly and healthful products for the home.

Posted: 18 March 2009

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