Your Green Review

*Be sure to read YGR’s review of Born Free’s BPA-free baby bottles and tips on plastics identification

What do your dental fillings, c.d. collection, water bottles and cupboard full of canned goods all have in common? They all contain a highly controversial organic compound called Bisphenol-A (BPA), a chemical used in the production of polycarbonate plastics (like baby bottles and water bottles) and epoxy resins (the coating on metal food cans and water supply pipes). Depending on where you get your information, BPA is either of negligible concern or poses a serious health risk.

BPA is a suspected endocrine disrupter, believed to mimic natural hormones and interfere with the body’s normal development processes. In laboratory animal studies, low dose exposure has been linked to neurological, developmental and behavioral abnormalities along with a slew of other disorders from diabetes to cancer. So far human studies have been few and far between but one study conducted by the Centers For Disease Control (CDC) found that in a sample population of 2,517 people ages 6 and over, 93% were found to have traces of BPA in their urine. Children and infants tend to experience the greatest exposure and are thought to be less capable of metabolizing and excreting active BPA, leaving more of the chemical per pound circulating in the body than in adults. Canned formula (lined with epoxy resins containing BPA) and polycarbonate plastic bottles are major routes of exposure in infants and children. BPA has also been found in breast milk and cord blood, suggesting its ability to cross the placenta during pregnancy (National Toxicology Program).

While opposing parties (including the plastics industry and certain governing bodies) argue that exposure from most sources is below EPA recommendations, it’s the continued low dose exposure that has the scientific community most concerned. The EPA first recommended the current 50 ug/kg/d reference dose in the 80’s based on laboratory tests which determined that at high doses, BPA led only to low body weight. However, the majority of subsequent studies have found that there is cause for concern given the prevalence of BPA in commonly used products. Of 119 government funded studies, the Journal of Environmental Research found that 109 demonstrated the harmful effects of low dose exposure compared to the 11 industry funded studies which found no correlation between adverse health effects and BPA (Consumer Reports).

This discrepancy in results has sent red flags shooting up among consumers and now in the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce which is taking a closer look at the industry funded research for signs of ‘engineered science’ (Committee on Energy and Commerce). With regulatory agencies slow to react, some corporations are taking matters into their own hands to avoid potential profit losses. As of April 2008, Canada has deemed Bisphenol A a ‘toxic substance’, proposing to pull infant products containing the chemical from store shelves with Walmart, Nalgene and Playtex following suit in the U.S. (Environmental Working Group).

Read More

National Toxicology Program. Peer Reviewed Brief on BPA (Article)

http://cerhr.niehs.nih.gov/chemicals/bisphenol/BPADraftBriefVF_04_14_08.pdf

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. BPA Q&A (Government Evaluation)

http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/media/questions/sya-bpa.cfm

The Green Guide: The BPA Debate (Article)

http://www.thegreenguide.com/doc/114/bpa

The Environmental Working Group. BPA Timeline (Article)

http://www.ewg.org/reports/bpatimeline