Bisphenol A (BPA) Health Effects and Protection Methods

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a hazardous chemical known to mimic estrogen which can interfere with the hormonal system. Independent studies have linked Bisphenol A to increased risks of heart disease, cancer, diabetes and birth defects. Other studies have suggested that BPA can reduce fertility in male because it is toxic to sperm. In August 2010, the journal Biology of Reproduction did a study concluding that BPA caused genetics defects. BPA is commonly found in conventional food of Western countries. Because of this, a great portion of their population has BPA in their bodies.

Below is an except from ewg.org about bisphenol A (BPA)

Independent laboratory tests found a toxic food-can lining ingredient associated with birth defects of the male and female reproductive systems in over half of 97 cans of name-brand fruit, vegetables, soda, and other commonly eaten canned goods. The study was spearheaded by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and targeted the chemical bisphenol A (BPA), a plastic and resin ingredient used to line metal food and drink cans. There are no government safety standards limiting the amount of BPA in canned food.

EWG’s tests found:

Of all foods tested, chicken soup, infant formula, and ravioli had BPA levels of highest concern. 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 1 in 10 cans of all food tested, and 1 in 3 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. The government typically mandates a 1,000- to 3,000-fold margin of safety between human exposures and levels found to harm lab animals, but these servings contained levels of BPA less than 5 times lower than doses that harmed lab animals.

Even though independent studies have shown that BPA is very toxic to the body, the FDA is doing little to stop the use of BPA in consumer products. However, because of public outcry against BPA, some major food companies are starting to take actions to ban the use of BPA.

As mentioned at naturalnews.com.

In a recent survey, the investment fund Green Century Capital Management asked 26 major food companies for their policies on the chemical. Roughly 50 percent said they plan to phase it out, compared with 23 percent just one year ago. Among the companies committed to ending use of BPA are Nestle, Heinz, General Mills and Campbell Soups.

How to protect yourself and your family from bisphenol A

• A large portion of commercial plastic products contains BPA. As a result, plastic containers, pacifiers and baby bottles usually contain BPA.
• Most canned food and beverage products contain BPA because they are lined with a resin made with this hazardous chemical. The manufacturers of this resin deny that it is hazardous. Instead, they claim that it protects the flavor of the food.
• Use glass containers to store food or cans labeled BPA free.
• Use bottles made of polycarbonate plastic (PC). These bottles should have a “PC” label on the bottom. Also, do not drink from a bottle with the number “7″ labeled on the bottom. Instead, drink from bottles that are labeled 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 because they are not suppose to contain BPA.

The good news is that more countries and companies are starting to ban the use of BPA in their products. Canada has recently listed BPA as a toxic chemical and has banned BPA in baby products. Some states in the US have also banned the use of BPA in baby products. In Europe, the popularity of banning BPA is increasing everyday. However, the European Food Safety Agency still refuse to classify BPA as a toxic chemical.

Potential Health Risks for Bisphenol-A (BPA): Medicine Matters from Sandra Fryhofer, MD

Canada Declares ‘Bisphenol A’ Toxic

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Tags: Bisphenol A, Bisphenol A Effects, BPA

Category: Physical Energy