BPA Alternatives May Not Be Safer

A recent study published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives found that alternative chemicals to BPA might not be much safer. Almost all commercial plastic products sampled in the study, including products advertised as BPA-free, leached chemicals that had estrogenic activity. Some of the BPA-free products showed more estrogenic activity than products with BPA.

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Which Plastics Should Stay Away From Your Food?

What type of plastic containers should stay away from your food pantry, refrigerator or freezer? Here is a great guide from Yahoo Green:

Flip over the container and check the recycling code number. If you spy a number 3 or 7, they are no good for food. If there is no number listed, contact the manufacturer.

Number 3 is polyvinyl chloride (PVC), also known as vinyl. PVC has garnered the moniker "the toxic plastic" for the presence of DEHA -- one of several plasticizers (softeners) used in its production. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, long-term DEHA exposure has the potential to cause: Reduced body weight and bone mass, damage to liver and testes, and cancer. The manufacture and incineration of PVC also releases carcinogenic dioxins into the environment and food chain. Although PVC is not the most common plastic used for food storage containers, some are made from it and it is often used in plastic wrap to improve performance.

Number 7 includes several plastic types but it is predominantly polycarbonate. The problem with polycarbonate is that it harbors bisphenol A (BPA). Studies have shown that BPA damages the reproductive systems of lab animals by interfering with the effects of reproductive hormones and has other serious health effects. BPA's capacity to cause these stems from its ability to mimic the human hormone estrogen -- it has been linked to prostate and mammary gland cancers, early onset of puberty and reproductive-organ defects.

Source: Yahoo

Massachusetts Ban BPA in Baby Bottles

Massachusetts is the eighth American state to ban the use of a potentially dangerous chemical in baby bottles and sippy cups.
The Public Health Council approved the new regulations on Wednesday barring the production or sale of reusable food and beverage containers for toddlers and infants that contain bisphenol (BIS'-phen-ol) A or BPA. 

source: AP, msnbc

High BPA, Low Sperm Count

Interesting findings published by Live Science. Yet another one against BPA!

"Exposure to a chemical found in food packaging and other plastics, BPA, can reduce the quality of men's semen, according to the findings of a five-year study and one of the few involving humans rather than animal models.

"This study counters the argument that only highly exposed populations are affected," said study author Dr. De-Kun Li, a reproductive and perinatal epidemiologist at Kaiser Permanente's Division of Research in Oakland, Calif.
"You can be exposed from the workplace. You can be exposed from consumer products. It doesn't really matter. Ultimately it will reflect in your urine," he said.
The researchers suggest findings should apply to Americans since even low levels of BPA exposurecomparable to men in the general U.S. population were found to have an adverse effect on sperm quality and quantity.

No correlation was shown between urine BPA and semen volume or shape."

Source: msnbc, Live Science 

PVC, BPA, Phthalates...Here is Some Clarification

We hear about toxic elements in children's toys, food and clothing all the time, but not always know exactly what they mean. We did some research, and here is the explanation for the most common elements: PVC, Phthalates, BPA, Mercury, Lead, Cadmium.

PVC

Detection of chlorine in a toy component indicates the likely use of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or vinyl, a widely used type of plastic. PVC is of concern to the environment and public health during all phases of its life cycle, from production to disposal. Besides being a carcinogen, at the end of a product's life, PVC can create dioxin when burned, PVC is not easily recycled. Phthalates are used in many plastics, especially PVC products, as a softening agent to make the plastic flexible. Lead and other heavy metals are sometimes used as a stabilizer or to impart other properties to PVC plastic.

Phthalates

Phthalates are a group of industrial chemicals that add flexibility and resilience to many consumer products. Phthalate plasticizers are not chemically bound to PVC, they can leach, migrate or evaporate into indoor air and atmosphere, foodstuff, other materials, etc. Consumer products containing phthalates can result in human exposure through direct contact and use, indirectly through leaching into other products, or general environmental contamination. Humans are exposed through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal exposure. It is found in tablecloths, furniture, vinyl flooring, shower curtains, wall papers, garden hoses, inflatable swimming pools, plastic clothing such as raincoats, children's toys, automobile upholstery and tops, medical tubing, and blood storage bags.

Animal studies show that phthalates are as toxic as PVC itself, causing cancer, thyroid and kidney diseases, possibly due to their effects on the endocrine system. Being fat-soluble, they also tend to accumulate in the body. Steps have already been taken to ban phthalates from plastic nipples on baby-bottles, children’s toys and plastic tubing for hospital use.

BPA

Bisphenol A, is used in a wide variety of products including plastic bottles and food can liners. More than 90% of Americans have detectable BPA in their bodies. Studies show potential effects on the brain, behavior and prostate in fetuses, infants and children.

Mercury

Mercury is a metallic element. Its compounds are often used in inks, adhesives, and as a catalyst in reactions to form polyurethanes. Mercury can exist in different forms and some forms are more toxic than others. Methylmercury is a form of mercury that is particularly hazardous to the developing brain. The main pathway of exposure to methylmercury is from eating contaminated fish and it is unlikely that this form would be present in children's toys. However, the use of mercury in children's products means potential exposure of workers to this compound and release to the environment when the product is discarded. Mercury is a persistent toxic chemical that can build up in the body.

Lead

Lead is a heavy metal that continues to be used in a wide variety of consumer products. Lead is often used as a stabilizer in PVC products and for pigmentation in paint, rubber, plastics, and ceramics. Lead's chemical properties also make it easy to use in castings of metal products such as jewelry 

Scientists have found there is no safe level of lead for children - even the smallest amount effects a child's ability to learn.

Cadmium

Cadmium is a heavy metal used as a stabilizer in PVC and in coatings and pigments in plastic and paint. Cadmium exposure is associated in animal studies with developmental effects, including possible decreases in birth weight, delayed sensory-motor development, hormonal effects, and altered behavior. Cadmium can cause adverse effects on the kidney, lung and intestines. It is classified as a known human carcinogen, associated with lung and prostate cancer. 

source: healthystuff.org 

Receipts Loaded with BPA

The University of Missouri Division of Biological Sciences laboratory was commissioned to test 36 different store receipts, and found huge amounts of BPA in most of them. The total mass of BPA on a receipt was 250 to 1,000 times greater than the amount of BPA typically found in a can of food or a can of baby formula.
According to EWG Spokesman Alex Formuzis, "BPA is used to coat thermal paper used by major retailers, grocery stores, convenience stores, gas stations, fast-food restaurants, and automatic teller machines (ATMs). The chemical reacts with dye to form black print on receipts handled by millions of Americans every day.”

A Swiss study found significant amounts were transferred to the skin simply by grabbing the receipt. People are advised to be sure to wash their hands after handling receipts to keep the BPA from being transferred to food or to the mouth.

Source: EWG and  Shine

BPA & Babies: Feds Acknowledge Concerns

Federal health and research officials outlined new guidance today for parents on the use of hard, clear plastics made from Bisphenol-A. Their bottom line: Minimize BPA-based products that could make contact with foods or drinks that infants or toddlers might consume — especially hot foods and drinks.

The agency noted that it now “shares the perspective of the National Toxicology Program that recent studies provide reason for some concern about the potential effects of BPA on the brain, behavior, and prostate gland of fetuses, infants and children.”

Source: Science News

Yet More on Bisphenol-A

BPA is now linked to heart diseases too, according to a recent British study. The analysis also confirmed that BPA plays a role in diabetes and some forms of liver disease, based on data involving 1,493 people aged 18 to 74.

Read the full article on msnbc.com

232 Toxic Chemicals Found in Newborns

Laboratory tests commissioned by the Environment Working Group found 9 of 10 randomly selected samples of cord blood tested positive for BPA, and as many as 232 chemicals in the 10 newborns. While the sample is too small to establish a trend, it shows that pregnant women should be concerned about exposure to BPA and other environmental pollutants that can disrupt the endocrine system.

For details on the report, logon to ewg.org.

Yet More on BPA

The US Center of Disease Control (CDC) released results of a study concluding that more than 92% of Americans have BPA (Bisphenol A) in their urine. Wow!

BPA is an industrial chemical used in the manufacture of clear plastic bottles and food-can liners. These chemicals have been restricted in Canada and some U.S. states and municipalities because of potential health effects. Some studies have linked it to reproductive abnormalities and a heightened risk of breast and prostate cancers, diabetes, and heart disease.

Unfortunately, developing fetuses and babies are the most vulnerable to BPA's toxic effects. So, the very first step is replacing the old baby bottles and sippy cups to BPA-free ones. Also, be aware that BPA contaminates liquid baby formula sold in metal cans. Choosing powdered versions is a much safer option.

As a rule of thumb, avoid canned foods, and don't use polycarbonate plastics for warm food and drinks.