Debate Rages On About Plastic Chemical Bisphenol A: Is It Toxic or Safe?
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
The bad news about the controversial plastic chemical bisphenol A just keeps coming.
Results from the first-ever study of the chemical conducted exclusively on humans instead of lab rats found a link between the chemical and an increased risk of heart disease and diabetes.
Critics of bisphenol A -also called BPA and commonly used to make baby bottle, refillable water bottles, and other hard plastics shatterproof -- claim the time has come for the government to ban BPA. For years, there has been talk of a link between BPA and reproductive problems in bottle-fed children.
But the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the nation's plastics industry have contended the jury is still out on BPA. The FDA has said BPA is safe "at the current levels of exposure" and that further study of its effects is needed before further action is taken to restrict its use.
The FDA has advised parents that while baby bottles containing BPA are deemed safe, alternatives such as glass baby bottles are also available and should be considered. Softer plastics, including single-use water bottles, do not contain BPA.
The new study results, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association on September 16, 2008, have fanned the already intense flames of debate over the future use of BPA.
Study Results
In the study, researchers in the United Kingdom focused on data for heart disease, diabetes, and BPA in 1,455 U.S. adults between the ages of 18 and 74. Study participants with the highest levels of BPA in their urine were more than twice as likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease or diabetes as those with lower levels of the chemical. High BPA levels in urine were also tied to abnormally high liver enzymes, which can be an indicator of diabetes.
Some Already Taking Action Against BPA
Not everyone is waiting for further testing and studies to be completed before they restrict products containing BPA.
United States retail giants Wal-Mart, Babies "R"Us, and Toys "R" Us have announced they will stop selling baby bottles and other products that contain BPA. The maker of Nalgene water bottles, which are popular with hikers and outdoors enthusiasts, has also said it will stop using the chemical in its products.
Canadian health regulatory officials took a hard stance against BPA in April 2008 by declaring it a toxic chemical. A move is now underway in Canada to ban products containing BPA altogether.
Officials in the United States have also taken the first steps towards prohibiting the use of BPA in children's products. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) authored the BPA-Free Kids Act, which would ban the chemical from products for children under age seven. The Senate bill was introduced in April 2008.
We Must Proceed Carefully with BPA
With mounting evidence of BPA's link to heart disease, diabetes, reproductive problems, and other serious side effects, the debate over the future of the chemical is entering a crucial time. More studies are being done, but there is still no clear, direct link between current levels of BPA and serious health consequences.
Without solid evidence on either side of the controversy, consumers should take it upon themselves to decide which products they want to use. They should consult with their health-care providers about BPA, educate themselves, and make informed decisions based on the available information.
Many consumers will find that when the health and well-being of their children is at stake, overreacting to a possible threat is a better choice than taking no action at all.
Posted under: Toxic Exposure