Concerns Grow Over BPA Bottles

Scott Kappes

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Both U.S. and Canadian health authorities have shown an increased concern this week over a popular chemical used in many different plastic products. The chemical, Bisphenol A or BPA, has been suspected by some to be linked to problems in human development. The U.S. department of Health and Human Services has said in a new report that this link cannot be ruled out at this time. However, the evidence does not paint a clear picture of the risks associated with BPA.

 In lab studies exposure to high concentrations of BPA has been shown to be a problem in animals, but exposure at the levels that a human might be exposed to is much more difficult to assess. BPA is released from plastic when the plastic is heated. The common suspicion is that exposure BPA as an infant, possibly from a baby bottle, may lead to prostate or mammary problems in later life. Many believe exposure of this nature may also increase the risk of developing cancer.

The American Chemistry Council, an industry group, said the chemical doesn’t present major risks. Two federal reports last year concluded that the chemical was safe, though those were criticized for using data generated by the chemical industry, the WSJ reports.

Meanwhile, Canadian retailers are pulling water bottles and food storage containers off the shelves, a day after the Globe and Mail reported that Health Canada, the Great White North’s FDA, is set to label the chemical as a dangerous substance.

Concerned parents and consumers can limit their exposure to BPA by purchasing items labeled BPA free. These items may cost a little more but are becoming more readily available. Not heating BPA containing plastics will also reduce the risk exposure to higher concentrations of BPA.