Why is BPA -- a Known Toxin -- Still Allowed in
Your Plastic Bottles and Food Containers?
by www.SixWise.com

Bisphenol-A (BPA), a dangerous chemical known to cause cancer and other health problems in lab animals along with chronic health problems in humans, is still widely used in the food and beverage containers Americans use everyday. The video above explores why this is still happening … and why BPA’s manufacturers, their lobbyists and U.S. regulators continue to say it’s safe.

The chemical first made headlines for its potential ability to mimic the female hormone estrogen, impacting fertility and potentially promoting cancer.

The concern lead to widespread fears that allowing the chemical in baby bottles and baby toys could harm the health of future generations.

Also alarming was a study published last year in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) that found BPA may also lead to heart disease, diabetes and liver problems in adults.

You May be at Risk if You Use Plastic Water Bottles, Plastic Food Containers and Even Aluminum Cans

BPA is one of "the world's highest production-volume chemicals, with more than 2 million metric tons produced worldwide in 2003 and increase in demand of 6% to 10% annually," according to this JAMA report.

The chemical is so widely used, in fact, that almost everyone has the chemical in their body right now.

"Widespread and continuous exposure to BPA, primarily through food but also through drinking water, dental sealants, dermal exposure, and inhalation of household dusts, is evident from the presence of detectable levels of BPA in more than 90% of the US population" the researchers write in JAMA.

BPA is commonly used in plastic, including plastic gallon milk bottles, plastic microwavable plates, ovenware and utensils, baby toys, bottles, pacifiers and sippy cups, and -- one of the biggest predators -- plastic water bottles.

Another common culprit are canned foods and beverages, as BPA is used in the linings of most tin cans and soda cans -- a practice that began in the 1950s and 1960s.

The FDA estimates that 17 percent of the U.S. diet is composed of canned foods, yet there are currently no government safety standards limiting the amount of BPA in canned food.

However, a study by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found some concerning findings, including that one in 10 cans of food tested -- and one in three cans of infant formula -- contained enough BPA in a single serving to expose a woman or infant to BPA levels more than 200 times the government's traditional safe level of exposure for industrial chemicals!

Why Isn’t the FDA Protecting You and Your Children From This Chemical?

When the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released their draft assessment on the topic of BPA safety late last year, they concluded “that an adequate margin of safety exists for BPA at current levels of exposure from food contact uses.”

Yet, after the FDA’s initial ruling, an FDA advisory board said the agency “ignored critical evidence” suggesting BPA could cause harm to children. More specifically, it was found the FDA based its decision that BPA is safe only on studies funded by the chemical industry, and excluded studies that suggest BPA could harm children at levels at least 10 times lower than what the FDA allows.

“It’s ironic FDA would choose to ignore dozens of studies funded by (the National Institutes of Health) -- this country’s best scientists -- and instead rely on flawed studies from industry,” Pete Myers, chief scientist for Environmental Health Sciences, told the AP, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.

In fact, the Environmental Working Group even says BPA could cause brain, behavior and prostate damage at levels 500 times lower than the FDA's proposed exposure limit.

"You cannot tell parents with a straight face that BPA is safe," Sonya Lunder, a scientist with the group, told USA Today. "As a parent, it's outrageous to think that another generation is going to be born and subjected to these toxic exposures while this process works itself out."

A Simple Tip to Drastically Reduce Your BPA Exposure

Superior Water, Convenience and NO BPA: The Wellness H2.O The Wellness H2.O enhanced water bottle is the next evolution in water technology. Not content with merely replacing wasteful bottled water, the Wellness H2.O combines the best portable filtration technology with rare Japanese stones and a patented enhancement process to produce an unparalleled quality of water. The bottle is made of LDPE (low density polyethylene) plastic, which is BPA-free. The ultimate environment product. Eliminates 1,100+ plastic bottles, reduces carbon emissions and conserves natural resources. Saves you up to $1,000 in bottled water purchases per year. Only bottle to produce nourishing, better-than-bottled-quality, "enhanced" water without the cost or waste associated with bottled water. Assures you and your family of safe and healthy water ... no matter where you go. Order Your Wellness H2.O Now!

Plastic containing BPA may be called:

• Polycarbonate

• Lexan

• Polysulfone

Plastic that contains BPA carries the #7 recycling symbol, as well, so you can cut down on your exposure by avoiding plastic that is made from these materials or contains the #7 recycling symbol.

If you currently rely on bottled water to get you through the day, you can replace expensive and unhealthy bottled water with a safer, and many times less expensive solution by getting high-quality filtered water right in your own kitchen!

You can get the best of both worlds -- clean water and save money -- when you use a high-quality Wellness Water Kitchen Filter for your home.

The Wellness Kitchen Water Filter reduces Chlorine, Chloramines, Cysts, VOCs, pesticides, and herbicides -- including DEET -- below detectable levels for the life of the filter.

The Wellness Kitchen combines the best filtration and enhancement technologies to deliver the purest and most natural tasting water available. It effectively reduces harmful contaminants, while at the same time enhancing the water with adding important yet delicate wellness "ions and minerals" that your body needs.

So instead of buying bottled water, you can get superior water in your own kitchen. To take it on the go, simply fill up a glass bottle of your own and you're set with clean water -- without having to worry about BPA.

Also consider trying the Wellness H2.0, a personal reusable water bottle that is BPA-free -- and contains its own built-in filter! The Wellness H2.0 features a unique filtration system that not only purifies ordinary tap water, but also enhances the water for better absorption and hydration.

Even More Essential Tips to Minimize Your BPA Exposure …

1. Bottle your own water (in glass or BPA-free plastic) from a Wellness Kitchen Filtration System.

2. Buy your own Wellness H2.0, a personal reusable water bottle made of HDPE (high density polyethylene) plastic, which is BPA-free!

3. Purchase glass baby bottles instead of plastic.

4. Buy milk and juice in glass containers (NOT plastic).

5. Use baby bottles and sippy cups made of polyethylene plastic (#1, #2, #4 recycling symbols) or polypropylene (#5) (these are usually colored, not clear)

6. Replace plastic food and drink containers and utensils with glass, ceramic or metal varieties.

7. Avoid using canned foods (as they mostly have plastic linings) or foods wrapped in plastic.

8. Avoid soda cans (as they mostly have plastic lining). If you drink soda, choose the glass bottles instead.

9. Avoid letting children put plastic toys in their mouths, or give them natural fabric toys instead of plastic ones.

10. Be careful with BPA-containing plastics, if you choose to use them. This means not exposing them to heat (microwave, dishwasher) or harsh detergents (bleach, etc.), throwing them away if they're scratched or worn, and not letting food or beverages sit in the containers for too long -- all of which increases the amount of BPA that may leach into your food.

11. Dental sealant may leach BPA. Although this is being debated, you may want to avoid dental sealants on your children's baby teeth, or ask your dentist if the sealant is BPA-free.

Recommended Reading

How Bad are Plastic Water Bottles for Your Health, Really? An Urgent Warning

Warning: Diabetes, Liver, and Heart Disease Linked to Everyday Plastics -- What's Your Exposure Level?!

Sources

Environmental Working Group March 5, 2007

USAToday.com November 1, 2008

Wall Street Journal Health Blog August 18, 2008