The stuff is called bisphenol A, BPA for short, and this chemical is in hard plastic bottles, bicycle helmets, compact discs, medical devices and other products. There’s growing concern that we shouldn’t be putting this stuff in our bodies, but it’s already present in most people. So what’s a concerned consumer supposed to do? Tips below, but first, the flurry of BPA news.

Last month, the Food and Drug Administration declared once again that the product is safe for food packaging, but on Tuesday heard testimony from scientists about the first major human health study of the chemical, which found that “people with higher levels of bisphenol A had higher rates of heart disease, diabetes and liver abnormalities,” the Washington Post reported.

In its continuing probe of chemicals in household products, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel’s investigative reporting team has raised serious questions about whether the federal government’s rosy assessment of BPA is based on an overreliance on industry-backed science. Canada has taken action to outlaw it.

It’s ironic to me that BPA is an ingredient of Nalgene bottles, those must-have screw-top water bottles that have accompanied backpackers, campers and canoeists for years. The manufacturer insists there’s no need to switch back to goatskin flasks.

Earlier this month, the National Toxicology Program, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, gave the chemical a “some concern” rating - 3 on a scale of 5 - for potential “effects on development of the prostate gland and brain and for behavioral effects in fetuses, infants and children.”

It’s a bewildering situation for people trying to keep their children and themselves safe. One thing is clear: we live in an age where scientists and consumer protection laws are playing catch-up with chemicals that were introduced before we had any deep understanding of what they do to our bodies.

Meanwhile, there are some things you can do to reduce exposure to BPA. The National Toxicology Program offers these tips:

“* Don’t microwave polycarbonate plastic food containers. Polycarbonate is strong and durable, but over time it may break down from over use at high temperatures.
* Polycarbonate containers that contain BPA usually have a #7 on the bottom )
* Reduce your use of canned foods.
* When possible, opt for glass, porcelain or stainless steel containers, particularly for hot food or liquids.
* Use baby bottles that are BPA free.”

Health Canada, the government health agency, has a longer list of tips for parents and caregivers:

” * If you continue to use polycarbonate baby bottles, it is recommended that parents and caregivers do not put boiling water in them, as very hot water causes bisphenol A to migrate out of the bottle at a much higher rate.
* If you are unsure as to whether your bottles are polycarbonate, check to see if the bottom of the bottle has the number 7 in the centre of the recycling symbol. Although the number 7 is a broad category, you can only be sure it is polycarbonate if the number 7 also has a PC beside it. If the bottle does not have a recycling symbol, there is no certain means of identifying whether it is made from polycarbonate or not.
* Water should be boiled and allowed to cool to lukewarm in a non-polycarbonate container before transferring to baby bottles. This advice is consistent with proper instructions for the preparation of infant formula.
* These bottles can be sterilized according to instructions on infant formula labels and can be cleaned in the dishwasher. They should be left to cool to room temperature before adding the infant formula.
* Baby bottles should not be heated in the microwave as the liquid may heat unevenly and can cause burns to your infant.
* Health Canada recommends that breast milk is the best food for optimal growth in newborns and infants. Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first six months of life for healthy term infants with continued breastfeeding for up to two years and beyond.
* If breastfeeding is not chosen, canned infant formula is still the best choice, as the nutritional benefits far outweigh possible risk.
* If parents and caregivers are still concerned about using polycarbonate baby bottles, there are a number of alternative options.”

This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 17th, 2008 at 12:26 pm and is filed under Buyer beware, Dangerous products. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.