Dangerous Chemicals Part I: Plastics and BPA
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Comment| Wednesday, January 9th, 2008 | Emily Halevy | CWK Producer |
“Evelyn was drinking from these plastic bottles. I read an article and found out that the plastic is dangerous; it can release toxins. So we immediately stopped using the plastic.”
– Kathleen Torpy, mother
According to the Centers for Disease Control, 95 percent of all people have chemicals in their bodies that come from the use of common plastic items. Are these chemicals harmful? What effect will they have on our children?
Kathleen Torpy does everything she can to keep her baby daughter, Evelyn, healthy.
“Evelyn was drinking from these plastic bottles. I read an article and found out that the plastic is dangerous; it can release toxins. So we immediately stopped using the plastic,” says Kathleen Torpy, mother.
The toxin found in plastic bottles is called Bisphenol A, or BPA.
“BPA is a chemical compound. It’s used to make a certain type of plastics -- polycarbonate plastics -- which is in the linings of baby bottles, canned foods, those types of things,” says Dr. Martin Belson, M.D., Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
In lab studies of mice, BPA causes an increase in the hormone estrogen.
“It has shown to cause developmental effects or even cancer, such as breast or prostate cancer,” says Belson.
However, these are animal studies, Belson cautions, not human studies.
“But at the same time it’s hard for a parent to sit around and wait for science. I think when we’re talking about our kids we should be very cautious about chemical exposure in our children, and if there’s any way we can minimize those exposures, then we should do it,” adds Belson.
First, Belson says, throw out any old and scratched plastic food containers.
“Be careful not to heat the plastic itself, because that can cause the chemical to leach out,” says Belson.
Avoid plastics that have a recycling symbol with the numbers three, six or seven, and choose baby bottles that are made of a material other than BPA plastic. Kathleen has switched to glass bottles which aren’t quite as convenient.
“Yes, I dropped one the other day and just watch your toes,” says Torpy.
“Read the magazines, watch the news, go on the Internet. I mean, nobody’s going to knock on your door and say ‘by the way, you know, the plastic in that bottle is now releasing toxins,’” says Torpy.
Tips for Parents
- The chemical compound BPA (Bisphenol A) is used to make polycarbonate plastics. These plastics are found in many products such as refillable beverage containers, protective linings in food cans, compact disks, plastic dinnerware, impact-resistant safety equipment, and epoxy resins. (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC)
- A growing number of scientists are concluding from some animal tests that exposure to BPA in a mother’s womb raises the risk of certain cancers, hampers fertility and could contribute to childhood behavioral problems such as hyperactivity. (Catherine Zandonella, Masters in Public Health, MPH)
- Plastic water and baby bottles, food and beverage can linings and dental sealants are the most commonly encountered uses of this chemical. Unfortunately, it doesn't stay put. BPA has been found to leach from bottles into babies' milk or formula; it migrates from can liners into foods and soda and from epoxy resin-lined vats into wine; and it is found in the mouths of people who've recently had their teeth sealed. (Catherine Zandonella, MPH)
- To be certain that you are choosing a bottle that does not leach, check the recycling symbol on your bottle. If it is a #2 HDPE (high density polyethylene), or a #4 LDPE (low density polyethylene), or a #5 PP (polypropylene), your bottle is fine. (Vreni Gurd, Certified Exercise Physiologist, Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology)
- The type of plastic bottle in which water is sold is usually a #1, and is only recommended for one time use. Do not refill it. Better to use a reusable water bottle, and fill it with your own filtered water from home and keep these single-use bottles out of the landfill. (Vreni Gurd, Certified Exercise Physiologist, Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology)
References
- Catherine Zandonella, Masters in Public Health (MPH)
- Vreni Gurd, Certified Exercise Physiologist, Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP)
