Savvy Toddler Mom

I’ve noticed a lot of chatter lately about a chemical found in plastic bottles called bisphenol A (aka BPA). Consumer Reports, National Public Radio, the Canadian Government, and the US Department of Health and Human Services, have all recently published warnings about this chemical.

I’m not a medical professional. But here is what I’ve been able to determine:

1) The plastics industry assures us that there is no problem. (What a relief!) The website factsonplastics.com (run by the American Chemistry Council, formerly known as the Chemical Manufacturers’ Association - an industry trade association for American chemical companies), “affirms that there are no serious or high level concerns for adverse effects of bisphenol A on human reproduction and development.” Interesting wording, huh? “No serious or high level concerns…” Wow. I wonder what they consider ’serious.’ It feels like they’re doing the same thing they did with tobacco and global warming - slander the science, insinuate a lack of consensus and let Fox “News” do the rest.

2) We can be exposed to BPA when it ‘leaches’ into the liquid or food we consume from a BPA lined container. Not all plastics are made with BPA, and not all plastics leach equally. Plastics can be identified by the ‘number in the triangle‘ usually on the bottom of the container. The number of concern is the 7 - and not all #7 bottles contain BPA, though I’ve read there is, “controversy of these bottles not being labeled with any code so that consumers cannot tell what type of plastic is used.” (Oh, great.)

3) The chemical Bisphenol A is worrysome “because it mimics estrogen and thus could induce hormonal responses.” This could be particularly hazardous if a developing child/fetus/toddler/teenager is exposed. There is less of a concern for adults who are not participating in the reproductive process.

4) The National Institute of Health has this to say about it, “…there is some concern for neural and behavioral effects in fetuses, infants, and children at current human exposures,” and that there is “some concern for bisphenol A exposure in these populations based on effects in the prostate gland, mammary gland, and an earlier age for puberty in females.” Additionally, “…exposure of pregnant women to bisphenol A will result in fetal or neonatal mortality, birth defects or reduced birth weight and growth in their offspring.” (full article here)

To limit your exposure to BPA, the NIH lists some recommendations at the bottom of this page.

It’s not like we need one more thing to worry about. I just can’t help but think of the hat makers who used mercury to stiffen brims. I wonder if Ye Olde Hat Makers’ Brotherhood was pissed when “so-called scientists” told them to stop using a poisonous chemical in their manufacturing. How did plumbers and water pipe makers react when “science” said to quit using lead in pipes? I don’t know for sure if BPA is as bad as some say, but when it comes to health concerns, I’ll pick science over industry every time.