Ottawa to ban baby bottles made with Bisphenol A
CBC News Friday, April 18, 2008

Major stores pull plastic bottles off shelves
Toronto Star, Wednesday, April 15, 2008

What is this chemical that is making headlines? Bisphenol A (BPA). BPA is commonly found in pliable plastics such as baby bottles, sippy cups and other plastic ware such as straws, cutlery, and storage containers. Various organizations and governments are calling for the ban of BPA in food and drink storage containers. Vendors are pulling products that contain BPA from the shelves. Why all the excitement?

What is BPA and how is it used?

BPA is a man-made chemical that was invented in the late 1800’s. Not to get too technical, but it is made by combining acetone (also used in nail polish remover and paint thinners), phenol (also used in cosmetic chemical peels and as weed killers) and hydrochloric acid. Although the levels of these ingredients are low, they are used extensively in plastic products and are known to leach when exposed to acidic foods and drinks (such as apple juice) and warm/hot liquids.

In the 1930’s, BPA was investigated to be used as a synthetic form of estrogen. Although it did cause the human body to react to the substance as it would our natural estrogen hormones, a better product was found and BPA was tested for other uses. Now BPA is used in making plastics, specifically the plastics used in: sippy cups, baby bottles, plastic toys, plastic teethers, plastic drinking cups, hard plastic water bottles, clear plastic cutlery, and PVC pipe. If you are not sure if something contains BPA, look at the recycling symbol. A product that has the #7 (polycarbonate) recycling symbol on it contains BPA.

And, according to the American Dental Association web site, many dental fillings and sealants also contain BPA and contribute to low-level BPA exposure.

What are the studies reporting?

Studies that support the use of BPA are mostly in reaction to the BPA scare that has been sweeping the world over the past six years. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recently released a study that indicates the exposure risk to BPA is very low and poses no known risk to human health. However, the CDC also states that 95% of Americans have detectable levels of Bisphenol A in their bodies.

According to the Environment California web site, there are more than 100 studies from peer-reviewed journals, which have linked BPA to a variety of diseases.

Numerous established environmental organizations, such as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) classify Bisphenol A as an endocrine disruptor that is harming wildlife and humans alike.

Who is most at risk and why?

Fetuses, infants and children around puberty are most at risk. Although the true effects of BPA on our health and our children’s health haven’t been proven yet, there are suspected links to cancers, impaired immunity, early onset of puberty, diabetes, hyperactivity and obesity.

What baby bottles contain BPA?

Five of the more popular baby bottle brands were tested and found to have harmful levels of BPA. These were: Avent, Dr. Brown's, Evenflo (plastic bottles), Gerber and Playtex. Within each of these brands there are some ‘lines’ such as the VIA line for Avent, which is BPA free. To check the status of the brands you use, please visit the BPA-Free Baby Bottle review listed under ‘Related Links’. And, you may want to download and print this chart, it is invaluable as you are considering buying plastic products.

What are the alternatives to BPA?

Look for glass or hard-plastic baby bottles that are BPA free. BornFree is a brand that has entered the market as a BPA free plastic bottle. You can often find them at health food stores. And, for sippy cups, there are a variety of stainless steel products available out there such as Kleen Kanteen.

Also, keep in mind that BPA leaches from plastics when it comes in contact with harsh detergents, acidic or hot liquids. And, if you are finding plastic that is cracking or used excessively, you are more likely to be exposed to BPA.

What does it all mean?

Well, to us and our daughter, we are choosing not to use plastic for anything that relates to food, beverage, storage of those products, and teethers/toys. We prefer not to expose her, or ourselves, to any unnatural estrogens or any other synthetic hormones. We realize there are some situations where we will choose to use plastic, however, we are reducing our exposure to Bisphenol A and other synthetic agents significantly. Plus, by reducing the amount of plastic we bring in the house, the result is less plastic having to be produced and recycled and thus fewer toxins entering our environment. It appears to be a win-win for everyone, well, except for the plastic producers and petroleum companies (since most plastics are made using petroleum)

For more information on living without plastic, check out Life Without Plastic (see related links below).

And for more information about BPA, Environment California’s web site has some great resources and links to studies (also in related links below).