BPA Plastic

From LoveToKnow GreenLiving

Those who are concerned with minimizing their exposure to potentially harmful chemicals have recently begun to take a keen interest in BPA plastic. While you might not know what BPA plastic is, you undoubtedly come in contact with it on a daily basis as BPA is used in the manufacturing of many plastic bottles. This article will give you a brief background of BPA plastic, will highlight the potential health risks associated with it, and will provide you with suggestions for how to avoid coming in contact with BPA.

What Is BPA Plastic?

BPA is short for bisphenol-a, which is a chemical used in the production of polycarbonate plastics that are used in plastic baby bottles, drinking bottles, and storage containers. These materials have a smooth feel that approximates glass, yet they are extremely durable. Polycarbonate plastics are also used in the lining of almost all food and beverage cans because they do not change the flavor of the food and drink items that are stored inside them. Things like pasta sauce, canned fruits and vegetables, canned beans, and canned chili are all contained in cans that are lined with PBA plastic.

What Are the Health Risks?

It needs to be stated that there is considerable debate as to just how dangerous BPA plastic is to people. That being said, some research suggests that laboratory rats have experienced tissue changes in their mammary and prostate glands, which raises red flags for cancer risks. Other tests suggest that increased BPA exposure leads to accelerated puberty in female lab rats. The human demographics that draw the most concern and appear to be at the highest risk for any potential health issues that could arise from BPA are infants and pregnant women. Because infants ingest more than ten percent more BPA on average than an adult (relative to their body weight) they would appear to be at a higher risk.

It must be remembered, however, that these are trace amounts – micrograms – of BPA that have been detected in people. Just to keep it in perspective, a microgram is one hundred thousandth of a gram. An asprin tablet weighs approximately one gram. The average baby ingests 10 micrograms per every kilogram of their body weight. If you sliced that asprin tablet into 100,000 slices, one slice would weigh approximately 10 micrograms.

While these facts are certainly cause for concern, there have simply not been enough large scale studies performed yet to implicate BPA as a definite health risk. The Food and Drug Administration maintains that, at the levels that are found in commercial products, BPA poses no significant health risk.

What Measures are Being Taken?

Measures have been taken to limit the sale of plastic bottles made using BPA plastics in both the public and private sectors. The city of Chicago recently became the first American city to ban the sale of baby products manufactured with BPA, although the state of Minnesota and Suffolk County, New York have signed similar measures. The retailers Wal-Mart and Babies-R-Us have also started selling BPA-free baby bottles, and Nalgene and Playtex have ceased production of BPA bottles.

What Can You Do?

Many people want to know if a plastic bottle they use is made from BPA plastic. The short answer is, if it's clear and plastic and doesn't say BPA-free on it, the bottle is made of BPA. The irony in the public response to BPA is that most of it is focused on plastic bottles, but the majority of BPA is ingested through the polycarbonate lining in canned foods. While some BPA-free canned products are slowly creeping onto the market, the vast majority still contains BPA.

If this issue is of a concern to you, there are several things you can do. First of all, switch from clear plastic food containers to glass, ceramic or stainless steel. The most important time to make sure you are using glass, and not clear plastic, is when you are dealing with hot foods or are putting a container in the microwave. This is because heat increases the likelihood that BPA will seep into your food. Switching to fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables and avoiding other canned foods is another great way to reduce your consumption of BPA.

Stay Current

As with all health issues, it is important to stay current. Much research is presently being conducted on this matter, and more data will help to settle the case of whether or not BPA plastic is a major health concern. Of course you want to make sure your family is protected from a potential health risk, but at the same time, you don't want to waste your time and resources avoiding something that is really benign. Here are some excellent resources to help you stay abreast of this issue: