BPA: The Bottle Toxin
Why all the recent press on BPA (Bisphenol A)?
#1. Health Canada has announced that BPA is a dangerous substance.
#2. The U.S. National Toxicology Program has stated in their report on BPA that there is "some concern for neural and behavioral effects in fetuses, infants, and children at current human exposure."
Where do you find BPA?
BPA is found in polycarbonate plastic, which is widely used for a number of consumer products.
You may be surprised to know that many common baby bottles, sippy cups, teethers, toys, pacifiers, and utensils on the market are made with polycarbonate plastics that contain BPA. BPA is also in the epoxy resins used to line cans of baby formula, and other foods, and has been found to leach into food and beverages.
Are we really exposed to BPA?
BPA leaches out of the polycarbonate plastic or from the epoxy resin into whatever food is stored. Heat increases the amount of leaching, but leaching can also occur at room temperature. A survey conducted by the Centers of Disease Control found BPA in the urine of 93% of Americans - and children had the highest levels!
Why do we care about exposure to BPA?
BPA mimics the hormone estrogen and disrupts the body's endocrine system. Estrogen is an important chemical messenger and when disrupted, many systems in the body can be affected. In animal studies, BPA exposure is linked to early onset of puberty, increased diabetes risk, hyperactivity, and certain cancers, including breast cancer. The developing fetus and young children are in the most danger, because their body's systems are undergoing growth and development.
Above Information from: The Smart Mama’s Simple Steps to Avoiding BPA
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