Editorial

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Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical compound used to produce clear plastic and epoxy resins. BPA is used in plastic baby bottles, hard sports bottles. and metal food can liners which are lined with plastic to prevent a metallic taste in food.

Studies* show that low doses of BPA in animals cause breast and prostate cancer, reproductive problems, diabetes, impacts the immune system, and causes alterations of brain chemistry and behavioral changes such as ADHD and autism.

It’s hard to keep BPA out of your life. It is one of the most commonly used chemicals in commercial production, used to make polycarbonate plastics. Traces of the chemical now show up in most everyone’s body.

Where is BPA is found?

Of all foods tested, chicken soup, infant formula, and ravioli had BPA levels of highest concern. Just one to three servings of foods with these concentrations could expose a woman or child to BPA at levels that caused serious adverse effects in animal tests. Here is a list of items which contain BPA. However. due to the fact BPA is in s many products it is not a complete list:

• Polycarbonate bottles such as hard, clear plastic baby bottles and clear, sometimes tinted, plastic water bottles
• hard, clear plastic bowls, tableware, storage containers
• liners inside food and drink cans
• dental sealant to prevent cavities
• electronic equipment
• sports safety equipment
• medical devices
• sippy cups
• pet carriers
• spray-on flame retardants
• five gallon water cooler jugs
• Sunglasses
• Tupperware
• CDs
• DVDs
• Construction Glazing
• “Bulletproof Glass”
• Automobile Parts
• Blender carafes
• Food processors
• Food choppers

Plastic Baby Bottle comparisons:

The average amount of BPA leaching for each bottle when heated:

Dr. Brown -7.08 ng/ml

Evenflo - 6.26 ng/ml

Disney - 6.41 ng/ml

Gerber - 6.78 ng/ml

Avent -7.07 ng/ml

Playtex -4.92 ng/ml

To identify containers made of BPA look on the bottom. Polycarbonate plastic food and beverage containers that contain BPA, will be labeled with recycling symbol, number 7 inside a triangle, with the letters PC beside it. Not all containers with the #7 recycling symbol contain BPA and not all products that contain BPA are marked with the recycling symbol. For example, cans lined with BPA are not marked.

Ways to Limit Your Family's Exposure to BPA

Use glass baby bottles

Avoid canned baby formula: all U.S. manufacturers use BPA-based lining on the metal portions of the formula containers. If you must use formula, choose powered or liquid in plastic bottles.

Don't eat canned food if you are pregnant.

Buy in bottles, not cans. Many products, like tomato sauces, are available in bottles as well as cans. Look out for the white epoxy on the inside of the metal lid---it probably contains BPA.

Start cooking fresh food instead of just heating it.

Do not cook anything in plastic, such as cooking bags, or reheating food in any plastic container in the microwave

Getting rid of BPA means changes in corporate and governmnet policies.

Corporate Policy:

Manufacturers and retailers should immediately
phase out use of BPA-containing baby bottles in
favor of available, safer products.

State Policy

States should act quickly to adopt policies to
protect consumers and restrict BPA use in all
food and beverage containers, especially those
intended for use by pregnant women, infants,
and children.

Some companies act to keep babies safe

Wal-Mart, Toys "R" Us , and Babies "R" Us say they will phase out baby bottles containing the chemical
BPA. Sears Canada, Rexall Pharmacies, London Drugs and Home Depot Canada Remove BPA Products from Shelves

Eastman Corporation has introduced a replacement for BPA, Tritan copolyester, however nothing is known bout safety test being done on this new chemical substitute.

Ask Congress to Act:

Demand BPA-free cans and food containers

Federal Policy

The Food and Drug Administration and
manufacturers of BPA-lined infant formula
cans should respond urgently and with full
disclosure to the landmark investigation by
Reps. Dingell/Stupak into the BPA leaching
from infant forumla cans. Rep. Dingell (D-MI)
is Chairman of the Committee on Energy and
Commerce, and Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI) is
Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight
and Investigations.

Champions at all levels of government
should work to reform America's outdated
chemical policies that are failing to protect
Americans from chemicals that are already
on the market and leaching from our con-
sumer goods into our food and water. The
federal law regulating industrial chemicals
is 30 years old. It is outdated and does not
work. BPA in baby bottles is one of
many examples of need to reform federal law
to protect consumers. The Toxic Substances
Control Act (TSCA) must be amended to:

• – Require complete health and safety data
  on industrial chemicals and make data
  publicly available
• – Product manufacturers should be required
  to test and disclose the chemical contents
  of their products
• – Prohibit the use of dangerous chemicals
  in products, especially those targeted at
  infants and children
• – Arm consumers with useful information
  to make safer purchases
• – Provide information and technical re-
  sources to businesses so they can make
  products safe for consumers, and invest
  in green economic development to spur
  innovation in products that are safe for
  consumers