BPA Bottles and your Baby’s Health
The FDA has decided that bisphenol A (BPA), which is the questionable chemical found in hard, clear plastic and in the lining of cans and tins, is perfectly safe. But Health Canada has just declared that BPA is hazardous to human health and especially to babies. Canada is the first country to ban bpa baby bottles. Should we be following suite in banning bpa bottles?
BPA baby bottles were the primary target of Health Canada, with other consumer products to follow. The FDA is in fact in a bind. For several years, the agency has insisted that baby bottles, water bottles and other beverage and food containers with BPA pose no risk. Even as researchers revealed evidence that BPA can mimic estrogen and interfere with hormone balance in animals, the FDA have reinforced the chemical industry’s stance that there is nothing to worry about.
The FDA’s conclusion came in lieu of findings from the National Toxicology Program that bisphenol A might trigger behavioral and neural effects in fetuses, babies and very young children. Health Canada has put BPA on a list of toxic substances and ban it from baby bottles immediately.
Virtually all Americans have some BPA circulating throughout their bodies. That is because BPA believe it or not is found in the plastic lining of most canned food. It is almost impossible to avoid exposure to BPA if you use any cans or hard, clear plastic containers.
In the meantime, millions of American parents are wondering whether they should throw out their bpa bottles and wondering what damage has already been done to their children. Most parents have opted for buying bpa free bottles. Many people who have studied bisphenol A are very worried enough to avoid it entirely from there own homes.
We have interviewed experts who advise consumers not to use any plastic containers in the microwave. To avoid BPA, consumers should look for food storage containers that are labeled BPA free or that are not clear, hard polycarbonate plastic. Some even go as far as to recommend minimizing the use of canned food.
Plastic is everywhere we look and is an integral part of our lives. It is almost impossible to find things like juice or ketchup in glass containers any more. Soft plastics used in toys, flexible containers and even teethers may contain phthalates – which is another potential hormone disturber. The bottom line is that as a society we may need to rethink how we are dependent on plastic.
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