What's the deal with BPA in plastics?

As soon as my sister-in-law (thanks, Shan!) told me that our sippy cups, plastic dishware, our water bottles, tupperware and gladware/ziploc reusable containers could be bad for us, I did an internet search and found a wealth of information on the dangers of BPA in plastics. It’s crazy that these things that are known and proven to be harmful to us are still on the supermarket shelves and so widely used. I was horrified to think that all that time I had been throwing Evan’s sippy cups in the dishwasher thinking that was the best way to sterilize them. I took a big trash bag and threw out all our plastic ware. I still buy plastics and canned goods, but I don’t reuse any plastic containers or put any in the dishwasher or microwave. We now drink out of Sigg or Klean Kanteen water bottles, use only ceramic or glassware, and Cole drinks out of the Born-Free glass bottles.

Here’s the 411 on BPA:
What is it?
Bisphenol A is a chemical found in polycarbonate plastic and the resinous lining of food cans. BPA is a synthetic sex hormone that mimics estrogen. It is toxic. Ninety-five percent of all baby bottles on the market are made with bisphenol A. The results of the U.S. study show that, when new bottles are heated, those manufactured by Avent, Evenflo, Dr. Brown’s and Disney/First Years leached between 4.7 – 8.3 parts per billion of bisphenol A.

What are the possible health effects?
BPA’s estrogen-mimicking effect interferes with hormone levels and cell signaling systems. Long-term exposure may put you at risk for a gamut of health hazards including breast cancer and uterine fibroids in women, and prostate cancer and decreased sperm counts in men. In April of 2008, the National Toxicology Program raised concerns that exposure to BPA during pregnancy and childhood could impact the developing breast and prostate, hasten puberty and affect behavior (i.e. Hyperactivity) in children.

How do I minimize my exposure?
BPA is so widely used and manufactured that you're not likely to eliminate it from your system altogether. There are some steps you can take to minimize your exposure, though:

Avoid plastics numbered #3, #6 and #7. Use only those numbered #1, 2, 4 and 5, or biodegradable.
Limit canned foods. BPA leaches into canned food from the lining. When possible, and especially when pregnant or breastfeeding, limit the amount of canned food your family eats. Particularly avoid canned soup, pasta, and infant formula. Save canned goods for emergencies only. Regularly opt for fresh or frozen foods or pick up cans from brands like Eden Foods, which boast BPA-free containers.
GO BPA-FREE for bottles and sippy cups. Brands like Thermos, SIGG, Born Free, and CamelBak now offer BPA-free containers, sippy cups, water bottles and baby bottles. Below is a pic of some of them. Medela and Evenflo also make polyethylene/polypropylene (#1, 2, 5) bottles.
Choose wood and cloth toys
Use pacifiers with silicon nipples rather than yellow rubber
Avoid using plastic containers in the microwave. Use glass or ceramic only.
Choose glass over plastic
Beware of cling wraps, especially for microwave use.
Avoid plastic bottled water. Never heat anything in disposable plastic water bottles. Water bottles from #1 or #2 plastics are recommended for single use only. Small scratches on the inside surface harbor bacteria and cannot be washed.

about 3 years ago Shayna Ching Kusumoto responded:

There was a good article yesterday on BPA in the Honolulu Advertiser: http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20090101/LIFE05/901010306/1076

Be aware of where BPA may be hiding
By Laurie Steelsmith

Q. I've heard that bisphenol A, found in many plastics, is bad for my health. Is this true? Where else is it found, and how can I avoid it?

A. There's a great deal of concern that bisphenol A is harmful to your health. A chemical that acts as a synthetic estrogen, it could potentially cause hormonal disruption in men, women, children, and the unborn. In September, The National Toxicology Program announced that exposure to BPA during pregnancy could negatively impact the developing breast and prostate and have adverse effects on brain development and behavior in children. Because BPA has estrogen-mimicking effects on the body, it may also contribute to breast cancer, infertility and early puberty in girls.

You probably can't avoid BPA completely, but you can minimize your exposure by drinking from glass, stainless steel or certain types of plastic water bottles. Many plastic bottles leach BPA into water — especially if left in the sun. According to the Environmental Working Group, plastic bottles with the number 1, 2, or 4 on the bottom contain no BPA, but bottles with the number 7 on the bottom may have BPA in them. If you use rigid plastic containers for food storage, avoid putting hot foods or liquids in them — the heat may allow BPA to migrate into your food. Always use glass rather than plastic if you microwave your food.

Avoid foods and drinks (such as sodas) in cans with epoxy liners — a common source of BPA. The EWG tested 97 canned foods and found more than half contain BPA. The highest concentrations were found in chicken soup, infant formula and ravioli. The EWG Web site warns that "just one to three servings of foods with these concentrations could expose a woman or child to BPA at levels that caused serious adverse effects in animal tests. For one in 10 cans of all food tested, and one in three cans of infant formula, a single serving contained enough BPA to expose a woman or infant to BPA levels more than 200 times the government's traditional safe level of exposure for industrial chemicals."

It is possible to find canned foods without epoxy liners. Eden Foods, found in many natural food stores, has used BPA-free liners since 1999, except in their tomato sauces.

The Food and Drug Administration is currently investigating the risks of human exposure to BPA. Some companies, such as Playtex and Nalgene, have announced plans to phase out BPA plastics, and some retail chains, including Wal-Mart and Toys "R" Us, are slated to remove BPA-containing baby cups and bottles from their shelves.

Laurie Steelsmith is a naturopathic physician and licensed acupuncturist in Honolulu, as well as author of the new book "Natural Choices for Women's Health," published by Random House. Read her past columns at www.DrSteelsmith.com. This column is for information only. Consult your health provider for medical advice.

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