Bisphenol A: What it is, where is it found, and how can you avoid exposure with alternatives.
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What is Bisphenol A?
Bisphenol A (BPA) is an industrial chemical used in the production process of many products, including industrial epoxies, cans for canned foods, and several widely used plastics.
So what's up with Bisphenol A?
Recently, new scientific data and information from public health groups have caused an increase in public awareness of BPA exposure from these products.
Though some argue that the amount of BPA the average consumer is exposed to is too low to have toxic effects, many argue that we are exposed to far more BPA than is considered healthy. They point to new research that suggests we may have high enough levels to produce lasting negative health effects in humans.
So what's up with Bisphenol A?
Recently, new scientific data and information from public health groups have caused an increase in public awareness of BPA exposure from these products.
Though some argue that the amount of BPA the average consumer is exposed to is too low to have toxic effects, many argue that we are exposed to far more BPA than is considered healthy. They point to new research that suggests we may have high enough levels to produce lasting negative health effects in humans.
Possible negative effects of BPA exposure to humans:
Lowered sperm count and infertility.
Higher occurrence of breast cancer.
Prostate growth.
Early puberty in children.
Resistance to Insulin.
Chromosome and egg damage.
Hyperactivity and other behavioral changes.
Where is BPA found?
BPA can be found nearly everywhere in our daily environment as it has proven to be a very useful ingredient in many consumer products containing plastic and some that don't - like fungicides, antioxidants, and even dental sealants.
However, the most likely sources of reoccurring BPA exposure are reusable water bottles, baby bottles, canned foods, and plastic food storage containers.
However, the most likely sources of reoccurring BPA exposure are reusable water bottles, baby bottles, canned foods, and plastic food storage containers.
Reusable Water Bottles
As disposable bottled water has come under increased scrutiny for environmental and quality issues, reusable water bottles have become very popular. For many of us, reusable water bottles have become incorporated into our daily lives.Unfortunately, most plastic bottles, even the expensive name brand bottles, are made of polycarbonate plastic, which has been targeted as one of the main BPA-leaching plastics.
For this reason, many savvy consumers have switched to aluminum or stainless steel bottles. Due to this new level of consumer awareness, bottles made of safe alternative plastics are springing up on the Internet and even at some retail stores.
Check out these links for BPA-free reusable water bottles.
- The BPA-free TITAN water bottle
- Here's a great BPA-free bottle (made with Tritan(TM) material) with patent pending functionality...you can order from their main site.
- The ph-ion bottle - a cheap BPA-free water bottle.
- Here is another BPA-free bottle. It's pretty standard design but it is inexpensive and non-toxic.
- Nalgene's HDPE bottle
- Nalgene has some bpa-free bottles made from HDPE (the same as milk cartons). You can see one here.
New YouTube vids
Baby Bottles and Sippy Cups
Many of the negative health effects associated with BPA can affect children and babies. In fact, children and babies are more affected by the same amount of exposure than adults are. Many information sources suggest that Bisphenol A, even in low doses, has a strong effect on developmental processes.This has prompted many parents to seek out baby bottles and sippy cups made of safer plastics. There are now many companies that provide non-BPA baby products, so finding them is fairly easy.
Check out these links to find BPA-free baby bottles and sippy cups.
- Diapers etc.
- Here is a selection of BPA-free baby bottles.
- Newborn Free
- Here is a company offering complete non-BPA feed systems for your baby.
- Think Baby Bottles
- Another great source for BPA-free baby stuff.
Canned Foods
Bisphenol A epoxy and plastic is used to line metal cans of fruit, vegetables, soda, and other foods. This layer protects the food from contaminates in the metal but, in some cases, leaches its own contaminates in the food.
Research on canned foods has shown that some, such as ravioli, chicken soup, and baby formula, can leach BPA at levels high enough to cause serious negative health effects in laboratory animals.
Unfortunately, there is little consumers can do about BPA exposure from canned goods, short of not buying them at all.
This is a very serious area of concern among those fighting to have stricter governmental standards put into place for BPA use.
Research on canned foods has shown that some, such as ravioli, chicken soup, and baby formula, can leach BPA at levels high enough to cause serious negative health effects in laboratory animals.
Unfortunately, there is little consumers can do about BPA exposure from canned goods, short of not buying them at all.
This is a very serious area of concern among those fighting to have stricter governmental standards put into place for BPA use.
Here are links for more detailed information regarding Bisphenol A leaching in canned goods.
- From the Environmental Working Group
- This website is a great resource for further BPA research on canned foods and BPA in general.
- Connecting Moms
- Here is an article that discusses the possibility of exposure from canned goods being responsible for BPA in breast milk.
Food Storage Containers
Plastic storage containers are a potential source of BPA exposure. If you cook your food in plastic storage containers, wash them with harsh detergents, or use them after they have been scratched and worn, your risk is at it's highest.
Not to worry, however, there are plenty of BPA-free food storage containers on the market. The best defense you have against BPA exposure from these containers is knowing what kinds to buy.
You can depend on a sales person at your local store but your best bet is finding out for yourself. Usually recyclable plastics are easily identified by the numeric code on the bottom of the container.
Not to worry, however, there are plenty of BPA-free food storage containers on the market. The best defense you have against BPA exposure from these containers is knowing what kinds to buy.
You can depend on a sales person at your local store but your best bet is finding out for yourself. Usually recyclable plastics are easily identified by the numeric code on the bottom of the container.
Here are links for more information on identifying which plastic containers are harmful and which are harmless.
- Hubpages Article
- This article gives great information on hazardous and safe plastics, and how to identify them.
- Health E House
- Another great resource for identifying household plastics.
The BEST defense against BPA exposure is knowledge.
Here are links for more reading on Bisphenol A!
- Identifying household sources of BPA
- Tips on how to avoid chemicals in everyday household products.
- Environmental Working Group
- A non-government watchdog of the chemical industry and consumer products.
- Bisphenol A.org
- An industry website that takes a more optimistic view of BPA and it's links to negative health effects.
- Wikipedia
- A good introduction to Bisphenol A and a lot of great links below the article.
- Another BPA article
- More information on BPA and alternatives.
Bisphenol A in the news!
Here is some news on BPA-related topics.
BPA-free stuff from Amazon
New Guestbook
Ladybrinx wrote...
Very nice, you posted your site on my Poison Plastics( http://www.squidoo.com/PoisonPlastics ) lens, so I thought I would check it out. Great job!
Posted July 08, 2008
by Diggwell
Hi I'm Digwell McArthy. I live on the west coast and work as a marketing manager. In my spare time I like camping, hiking, and boating. I hope you li... (more)
