| Bisphenol or BPA is a synthetic estrogen that is | | | | Drug Administration approved BPA products. |
| used to harden polycarbonate plastics and epoxy | | | | According to FDA "an adequate amount of safety |
| resin, both of these materials are commonly | | | | exists for BPA. at current levels of exposure |
| found in sports bottles. In 2007 it was discovered | | | | from food contact uses, for infants and adults". |
| that an estimated six billion pounds of this product | | | | The contradiction between the FDA and many |
| were sold worldwide. So why is BPA so bad? | | | | opposing scientific analysts has made BPA |
| According to the Environmental Working Group: | | | | products extremely controversial. Many prefer to |
| "In laboratory tests, trace BPA exposure has | | | | err on the side of caution by avoiding BPA |
| been shown to disrupt the endocrine system and | | | | products. It's the responsibility of distributors and |
| trigger a wide variety of disorders, including | | | | retailers to educate customers about product |
| chromosomal and reproductive system | | | | material so they can make informed decisions on |
| abnormalities, impaired brain and neurological | | | | using them. That's why companies must displays |
| functions, cancer, cardiovascular system damage, | | | | BPA product information labeled BPA or BPA Free. |
| adult-onset diabetes, early puberty, obesity and | | | | Look for these products whenever shopping for |
| resistance to chemotherapy". | | | | sports bottles that may contain polycarbonate |
| It's because of this alarming finding that | | | | materials. |
| distributors must offer a wide variety of "BPA | | | | The debate continues on the safety of BPA |
| Free" products. Despite lab findings, BPA products | | | | products and whether or not the amount of BPA |
| are still widely used because BPA breaks down | | | | found in these products is hazardous enough for |
| "readily" according to the Environmental Working | | | | reasonable concern. The best way to protect |
| Group and can be almost completely cleaned | | | | yourself against products made with potentially |
| from products when heated or washed with | | | | hazardous material is to view multiple sources and |
| detergent. It's because of this that the Food and | | | | make an informed decision. |