Some info on BPA-the toxic chemical in plastics and cans

[Guest guest]

Here is some more info on BPA that I received in a e-mail. it seems

everywhere we turn there are more toxins and things that just SHOULD

not be in our food-water-air, and our bodies. this whole situation

makes me sad and very angry.

Your BPA questions, answered

When we posted a little analysis of the new research on the toxic

plastics chemical bisphenol A (BPA) leaching from polycarbonate

bottles, we had no idea how many questions it would inspire. This

month, instead of the usual Ask EWG feature, we've put together a post

in which we answer as many of your BPA questions as we can. We know

you've probably got even more questions. Ask away and we'll do our

best to answer, but keep in mind that there are some questions we just

don't have the answers to yet.

First, a little review: What is BPA?

BPA is a chemical used in the production of certain kinds of plastics,

including polycarbonate plastic (like hard, colored water bottles and

5-gallon drinking water coolers) and the lining of most food and

beverage cans. BPA can leach from the plastic and into foods and

beverages, especially when it's heated or used for long periods of

time. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control found BPA in the bodies of

93 percent of the people they tested, which is especially troubling

since the chemical is linked to breast and prostate cancer and

neurobehavioral changes in offspring exposed in the womb. It's a good

idea to avoid exposure to BPA whenever possible.

Stuff you drink out of

Polycarbonate bottles: As the original post mentioned, studies show

low levels of BPA leach out of polycarbonate bottles (like Nalgene and

other hard, colored water bottles) at room temperature. More BPA

leaches when the bottles are filled with hot liquid. Generally these

bottles will be marked with recycling number seven. Polycarbonate is

hard, translucent or clear plastic.These bottles may be marked with

the number 7. If you're going to use a polycarbonate bottle, be aware

that it's likely that higher amounts of BPA leach out of older and

damaged bottles. Although we recommend that you avoid drinking from

polycarbonate bottles, it's important to note that your potential

exposure to BPA through canned food is considerably higher.

One commenter mentioned recycling; as far as we know, #7 drink bottles

are rarely recyclable. To be sure, check with your local recycling center.

Other plastic bottles: Don't reuse single-use plastic drink bottles

(PET, or #1 plastic). It's a good instinct, but bacteria can build up

on the inside, and they may leach chemicals too. Drop them in the

recycling instead. Bottles made from flexible, cloudy-colored HDPE #2

are considered a safer option if you must have a plastic bottle.

Water filter pitchers and containers: These hard, clear plastic

containers may or may not be made of polycarbonate. One commenter left

a link to a Q&A on The Green Guide which reveals that Brita filter

systems use containers made from styrene methylmethacrylate copolymer.

Brita confirmed for us that they don't use (and never have used)

polycarbonate plastics. Other filter brands may use polycarbonate

plastics; check with them to find out. If your filter does use

polycarbonate plastic, you could consider filtering water and storing

it in glass bottles.

Camelbak hydration systems: Camelbaks's inner bladder is made from

flexible polyurethane, which contains no BPA or phthalates. They have

an antimicrobial silver lining. There's no risk of BPA exposure, but

some scientists have raised concerns about antimicrobial silver.

Metal water bottles: Metal water bottles come in two variations:

stainless steel and aluminum. Many aluminum bottles are lined with an

epoxy or enamel, which is likely to contain BPA. Sigg, the Swiss

company that produces a line of aluminum water bottles, recently

produced test data showing that several new and used Sigg bottles did

not leach BPA at levels greater than 2 ppb after three days of heating

in nearly boiling water -- that's less leaching than polycarbonate

bottles under the same condition. Stainless steel bottles, like Klean

Kanteen, are not lined, so there's no risk of BPA exposure there.

Food containers

Canned Foods: No matter what brand you use or where you buy your

canned food, the cans are almost certainly lined with an epoxy resin

that contains BPA. If they didn't use it, the cans might rust, or you

might end up with metal residues in your food. But because of the high

temperatures used in the canning process, your potential exposure to

BPA from canned food is much higher than your potential exposure from

plastic water bottles.

Only one manufacturer that we know of uses non-BPA lining on some of

their food cans:

Eden Organic Beans are packed in lead free tin covered steel cans

coated with a baked on oleoresinous c-enamel lining that does not

contain bisphenol A (BPA). (Oleoresin is a natural mixture of an oil

and a resin extracted from various plants, such as pine or balsam

fir). These cans cost 13.77 percent more than the industry standard

cans that do contain BPA. This costs Eden $300,000 more a year. To our

knowledge Eden is the only U.S. company that uses this custom made

BPA-free can.

Eden's tomato products are still packaged in cans with a BPA-based

lining. Have a look at EWG's report for lots more on BPA in canned

foods, including certain canned pastas and soups that contained the

most BPA.

Reusable food containers: According to Kathleen's comment, Tupperware

has confirmed that their Rock'n'Serve line does contain BPA. Other

reusable containers may be made of polycarbonate. If not marked with a

number 7, these would be very rigid clear or translucent plastic (not

cloudy or flexible like yogurt containers). As an extra precaution,

avoid putting hot liquids in these or microwaving them. In general

it's best to use safe ceramics or glass containers for microwaving

whenever possible.

Plastic wrap: In 1998, it was revealed that some plastic wraps

contained chemical plasticizers called phthalates, which can migrate

into food. In 2006, the industry group American Chemistry Council

reported that phthalates are no longer used in any US plastic wraps.

Most plastic wraps are made of LDPE, which has fewer contaminant

concerns. Companies aren't required to list what's in their plastic

wrap, though, so your best bet is to be cautious: Avoid microwaving

plastic wrap (use a paper towel instead), and if you must, make sure

it's a microwaveable version. That much, at least, will be listed on

the box.

More consumer goods

Products for baby: A few of you expressed concerns about products

designed for babies, from bottles to formula to pacifiers. Luckily, we

lay out the best choices for many baby products in our guide to

baby-safe bottles and feeding. Some basics: Choose bottles made from

glass or BPA-free plastic. Use a clear silicone nipple, and if you're

feeding formula use a powdered version mixed with unfluoridated water.

As for pacifiers, while the hard plastic part may be made of

polycarbonate plastic, that part doesn't go in baby's mouth -- so get

a version with a silicone nipple, and don't worry too much about the rest.

Dental fillings, dental sealants: These can be BPA-based. If you're

concerned, ask your dentist to show you the Material Safety Data

Sheets (MSDS) for the filling materials and look for bisphenol A or

bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE), and bisphenol A-dimethyl

acrylate (Bis-DMA). A fourth chemical, bis-glycidyldimethacrylate

(Bis-GMA), does not appear to give off BPA during use. Try to avoid

having dental work done while pregnant or breastfeeding. Remember that

BPA passes through your body quickly.

Mouthguards: One commenter asked if mouthguards made out of

polycarbonate plastic would be a concern. Contact the manufacturer

directly for more information about the type of plastic your

mouthguard is made of. If it is polycarbonate, then there is some

potential for BPA leaching.

The science

European safety assessment of BPA: One commenter questioned the

validity of the study mentioned in the post, based on a comparison

with the European Union's assessment. We'd like to caution against

holding the EU up as the paragon of chemical safety; while it's true

that they're sometimes more cautious about chemicals than the US, that

frankly isn't saying much. In this case, the EU assessment ignored the

results of dozens of studies showing very low dose effects of BPA and

assumed that rodents are far more sensitive than humans to this

chemical--an assumption that is by no means universally endorsed.

Here in the U.S., the National Institute of Health (NIH) is currently

trying to reconcile the results of 2 expert panels that came to very

different conclusions about the potential harm of low dose BPA

exposures. There results are expected some time in 2008.

Is BPA making me sick? Can I be tested? BPA passes very quickly

through the body, so testing yourself would only give you a snapshot

of the past couple of hours. In general, laboratories do not conduct

BPA testing for individuals, and people must be part of a scientific

study to be tested. Your best bet is to do what you can to limit your

exposure to BPA, and support efforts to require that industrial

chemicals are fully tested for safety before they are put in our food

and in our homes.

____________________________________

Bisphenol A in your body: How it got there and how to minimize

your exposure.

BPA in canned foodThe common plastic additive bisphenol A has been

getting a lot of press lately. It's a hormone disruptor that can be

found in almost everybody, and animal studies have linked it to breast

and prostate cancer, and infertility. Knowing all that won't help you

avoid the chemical, but we've got some information here that might.

Knowing how you're exposed is among the best ways to minimize further

exposure.

How'd it get there?

Studies show canned foods are a common source of daily BPA exposure in

our lives. Cans of soda generally contain less BPA than canned pasta

or soup. The worst foods tested contain enough BPA to put pregnant

women and formula-fed infants much closer to dangerous levels than the

government typically allows. Even some liquid infant formula is packed

in cans lined with BPA, which seems ludicrous given the special

vulnerabilities of children's developing systems.

In addition to canned food, certain plastics are often made with BPA.

Called polycarbonate, these plastics are rigid and clear or

translucent and usually marked with a recycling label #7. Not all #7

containers are made with BPA, but it makes for a reasonable and useful

guideline for avoiding a category of plastics. Some reusable

polycarbonate water bottles (we won't name names), marketed as

non-leaching because they minimize plastic taste and odor, may still

leach trace amounts of BPA. But hold on before you run out and buy a

metal water bottle -- make sure you know what you're getting. Many

reusable metal water bottles are lined with the same BPA-leaching

plastic found in cans of food.

How do you get rid of it?

Unfortunately, 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:

* When possible, and especially if you're pregnant and when

feeding a young child, limit the amount of canned food in your diet.

* Avoid using old or scratched polycarbonate bottles. If you're in

the market for a new water bottle, look for stainless steel water

bottles that do not have a plastic liner.

* Don't use plastic containers to heat food in the microwave. Opt

for ceramic, glass, or other microwavable dishware.

* Soft or cloudy-colored plastic does not contain BPA.

* If you're formula feeding your infant, consider using powdered

formulas packaged in non-steel cans. Also, choose baby bottles made

from glass or plastics that don't leach BPA (like polypropylene or

polyethylene).

http://www.enviroblog.org/2008/03/bpa-questions-answered.htm

http://www.enviroblog.org/2007/09/bisphenol-a-in-your-body.htm

sherie