A bit more about BPA in plastics....

Not to sound alarmist... but yesterday, Eric mentioned to one of our neighbors (who happens to have a PhD in chemistry) that we were concerned about plastics and asked if all the hype was true. He gave Eric a brief description of the history and to sum it all up... it is true and it is scary. He added that the plastics also emit these chemicals into the air and atmosphere. Studies have shown that seals living in the poles (north and south) have higher concentrations of it. I then decided to check it out on Wikipedia, if you'd like I've linked the article.

Here is the article...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bisphenol_A


To summurize it briefly and (without plagiarizing!)
Studies in laboratory animals have linked variying levels of Bisphenol A (BPA) to the following conditions:

Permanent changes to genital tract
Changes in breast tissue that predispose cells to hormones and carcinogens
30% increase in prostate mass
Signs of early puberty
Decline in testicular testosterone
Breast cells predisposed to cancer
Prostate cells more sensitive to hormones and cancer
Insulin resistance
Decreased maternal behavior
Damage to eggs and chromosomes
Hyperactivity
Reversal of normal sex difference in brain structure

BPA is in many things, many of which are not food related, such as polyesters and PVC and is used as an antioxidant in food and cosmetics. BPA has been known to leach out of the plastic lining in some canned goods and from polycarbonate plastic containers after they have been used to contain high-temperature and highly acidic foods or cleaned with harsh detergents. First of all, I didn't realize that some cans are lined with plastic! One way to identify whether or not there is BPA in your plastic is to look at the recycle code at the bottom. Generally those labeled 2, 4 and 5 are considered safe. Those with 1,3,6 and 7 are not, 7 being the one that typically has the highest levels of BPA.

But here is another scary statistic: those people found with the highest concentrations... scarily enough are bottle fed infants as they consume most of their formula by way of plastic bottles that contain BPA. Liquid Formula cans are among the types of cans lined with plastics that leach BPA. Some infants consuming the liquid formulas can get up to 13 µg/kg/day, doses that in animals have been shown to have some of the effects listed above. If you use formula to feed your baby, try to avoid using the canned liquid kind and use glass bottles or ones that are BPA free.

Of all of this is in the wikipedia article. Again, only animal studies have been done, so this information isn't conclusive... but we decided that it really wasn't worth the chance to wait until scientists figure it all out. They have known since the 193os that BPA has had effects on the female reproductive system. They called it an "estrogen receptor antagonist". In any cases there also links to it in regards to cancer.

We have already gotten rid of most of our plastic food related items, as much as we can (the thermos sippy cups have plastic lids, though they are BPA free) and I think I'll be checking into wax paper as an alternate to Saran Wrap.

One more note: Some other dangerous chemicals commonly found in plastics, mostly vinyl and PVC, are called phthalates. (That "New" car smell... those are phthalates leaking into the air). Researchers have found that many baby care products contain certain phthalates that may lead to developmental and reproductive toxicity in infants. Such baby care products include soaps and lotions and shampoos. Additionally soft vinyl toys also contain phthalates (add that to the recent "Made in China" scare...) Again, a wikipedia article discusses this and you could google it and find out more for yourself. I think I will be a wiser consumer from now on, less plastic will come into our house and some things will just not make the next move.

A second thought: After re-reading this post, I thought it sounded a bit soap-boxish. I can't imagine life totally without plastic- I'd have no computer, vaccuum, refridgerator (and all other house-hold appliances for that matter). I still think though that we need to be aware of what we are putting into the environment and into our bodies. I am going to be a wiser consumer when it comes to food and body products and the containers they comes in. I am still in shock after having read that article. I didn't realize to what extent it already had been studied and how these chemicals are in so many things. I probably won't be posting too many posts like this one (not a very happy blog!!)... but I just had to talk about it since it was so surprising to me.