Bisphenol-A is a chemical commonly used in the hardening of plastics. It is also used as a liner of many canned items. This chemical definitely leaches out of these containers and into your food and water. Even the plastic industry doesn't deny that.
Potential harmful effects of bisphenol-A are associated with estrogen and thus reproduction. Higher than average levels were associated with women who had multiple miscarriages. There are links to ovarian dysfunction. Mice have been shown to have altered mammillary glands. Most horrific, due to the powerful effects of estrogen on a developing fetus, a myriad of disturbances could occur.
Recent research indicates that BPA also has implications in the development of diabetes. Those who already have a genetic predisposition to developing diabetes and who further encourage the development by leading sedentary lives could be literally pushed over the edge. In case you weren't aware, diabetes is a growing epidemic in the US. We don't really need any more help in the development of this disease.
So what's a person to do? I personally think it's best to air on the side of caution. We are constantly exposed to chemicals every second of every day, and should do our best to limit where we can. Eat fresh organic vegetables and fruits, and when that's not possible consume frozen opposed to canned - they tend to have more nutrients due to immediate flash freezing anyhow. Trade in those cool Nalgene (marked with #7 on the bottom) bottles for the ultra trendy aluminum bottles. SIGG produces these bottles, however they tend to be quite $$$, at least for my student loan budget. A glass juice bottle will work just as well, and it's easy recycling. Baby bottles also contain BPA, and when washed in the dishwasher, the plastic degrades faster and more BPA is released. Glass baby bottles can also be purchased, and because that has BAD IDEA written all over it, silicone sleeves can be used. This makes it easier to grip and virtually unbreakable. I personally used these with my son and never had a problem. Also, look for plastics marked with a #5, these have less leaching capacity.
Further, it's reported that hot liquids also hasten the breakdown of these plastics and further increase the release of BPA.
Here's a great article on plastics in general that also covers BPA.
Lastly, while the FDA continues to mull over the safety of BPA, let's remember this is the same group who said Vioxx was safe and could not cause death...a ruling that resulted in the deaths of at least 44,000 Americans.
1 comment:
Stephanie, thanks for visiting. I am subsribing to your blog as well.
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