You've heard me talk about the BPA controversy in previous Momathon Blog posts. Consumer activists have warned about the dangers of the estrogen-like chemical BPA for decades. BPA is used in lightweight, often clear, hard plastic containers for food and drink such as baby bottles and water bottles. The FDA and other groups argue that BPA does not pose a "serious" health risk according to the industry-funded studies.
My health question still remains: Is a moderate or even a low risk worth taking when so many BPA free alternatives are available? What level of safety are we willing to accept especially when feeding the most vulnerable--our babies and young children.
JAMA ISSUES NEW BPA WARNING
Now there is new evidence that BPA (bisphenol A) does indeed pose serious health risks. The latest study, the first large study in humans, links BPA to heart disease and diabetes according to an article in USATODAY.com as well as many health journals and other newspapers. This study of 1,455 people published today in The Journal of the American Medical Association says:
"Adults with the highest BPA levels in their urine were more than twice as likely to have heart disease or diabetes than those with the lowest levels."
Previous studies that found BPA safe have been criticized due to the fact that they were industry-funded studies.
BPA is everywhere, but the greatest exposure is through food and drink since it is most readily absorbed through food and drink containers. The dangers of BPA on children and fetuses are higher since they may be able to absorb more of the chemical than adults. Chances are if you are using a reusable clear, hard plastic bottle with the recycling #7 on it, then it includes BPA. More BPA can potentially leach into liquids in polycarbonate plastics if you add boiling water when making formula or use high temperatures for cleaning bottles because this may “damage” the bottle.
BPA is used in lightweight, often clear hard plastics containers for food and drink such as baby bottles and water bottles.
- #1 plastic bottles like the ones you buy with water in them at the grocery store are fine for one-time use according to the FDA. Do not reuse them or add hot/boiling water to them because this can damage the bottle and cause BPA to leach into the liquids inside.
- BPA-free plastic bottles include #2 HDPE (high density polyethylene) and #5 PP (polypropylene).
- Plastic reusable bottles with a number 3, 6, or 7 are potentially unsafe because they can release BPA.
- Just to make it confusing, not all plastic bottles with the #7 on it are unsafe. The #7 clear, hard plastic Nalgene reusable bottle is made from polycarbonate contains BPA, but the new corn-based, compostable plastic dinner plates and cups are also labeled #7 are safe according to National Geographic: The Green Guide
For more information, check out my previous Momathon Blog posts on this topic