| Parents and guardians around the world are | | | | responsible for determining "safe" levels of BPA |
| scrambling to find more conclusive results from | | | | and human consumption. Yet when it comes to |
| current studies surrounding Bisephenol A (BSA). | | | | children and their health it is rapidly becoming a |
| Polycarbonate products we use on a daily basis | | | | "no-brainer" for parents to toss their conventional |
| are being targetted by governmental agencies | | | | plastic bottles, and pony up the $50-$70 to |
| and just recently the Canadian Government has | | | | replace them all with glass baby bottles. |
| decided to ban the import and sale of | | | | Unfortunately the majority of baby bottles and |
| polycarbonate baby bottles containing bisphenol A. | | | | sippy cups in your cupboards now are labeled with |
| Although many experts who have weighed in on | | | | the #7 designation, meaning they are |
| the issue of what are "tolerable" amounts of BPA, | | | | polycarbonates and contain BPA. The common |
| there is a growing concern for parents who want | | | | alternative to plastics in other industries like large |
| more answers regarding the tests being | | | | bottled water containers, are a label #1 (PET |
| conducted. | | | | bottles). Most "plastic" bottles are labeled with the |
| Scientific studies conducted with rats being | | | | number system and safe numbers are 1,2,4 and |
| exposed to higher levels of Bisphenol A, showed | | | | 5. The numbers you should aim to avoid are 3,6 |
| clear patterns and results such as: | | | | and 7. These are mainly of PVC (cling wrap), |
| There is a divide between the plastics industry | | | | styrofoam products and all polycarbonate plastics. |
| which says BPA is safe and critics who say that it | | | | For those of you who aren't yet convinced of the |
| is a health risk. Critics claim that BPA can increase | | | | empirical study results, you can lessen the |
| your risk of certain cancers, cause fertility | | | | "leeching" of Bisephenol A into food and drinks by: |
| problems and contribute to behavioral problems in | | | | Not re-heating food or drinks in polycarbonate |
| children. The majority of government funded | | | | products. |
| studies found some of the following side effects | | | | Discarding used/scratched and older polycarbonate |
| from BPA: | | | | bottles. |
| Aberrant cell growth patterns (cancerous cells) | | | | Avoid using dishwashers, excessively hot water |
| Pre-cancerous prostate lesions (chemicals linked | | | | and harsh detergents to clean polycarbonates. |
| directly to breast cancer) | | | | Again, many experts are weighing in on the |
| Insulin resistance, leading to diabetic risks | | | | studies surrounding BPA at this time and more |
| Hormonal changes (leading experts to hypothesize | | | | research is necessary. The Canadian government |
| BPA could be linked to miscarriages) | | | | has recently taken action with respect to imports |
| Behavioral problems including hyperactivity | | | | and sales of polycarbonate products. Effects can |
| Estrogen level changes | | | | be felt immediately as retailers have now |
| All the major baby bottle companies who produce | | | | removed all baby bottles made of polycarbonate |
| bottles made of polycarbonate "plastics" are under | | | | from their shelves. |
| the spotlight. None of these companies have | | | | Only when everyone shares "transparent" results |
| denied research that points to BPA leeching into | | | | with regards to these plastics and their direct |
| ingestible liquids and foods, but none seem to | | | | effect on our health will we be better able to |
| agree on what "levels" of BPA constitute a health | | | | come up with positive solutions. |
| risk. The Environmental Protection Agency is | | | | |