Eco Women: Protectors of the Planet! Suggestions and resources for avoiding Bisphenol-A

September 18, 2008 By now you may have heard in the news about BPA, or Bisphenol-A, which is found in polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins. Polycarbonate plastics are clear, hard plastics and epoxy resins coat the inside of almost all canned beverages and foods. It can be found in type 3 and type 7 plastics. BPA leaches into food and liquid faster when the plastic is heated. BPA, is an endocrine disruptor which mimics estrogen. According to the Environmental Working Group, BPA has been linked to prostate cancer, breast cancer, and neurobehavioral changes in children who were exposed to it in the womb. The results of a new study out yesterday suggest a possible link between BPA and heart disease, diabetes and liver abnormalities. The FDA has concluded that BPA is not dangerous; however, Environmental groups are not happy about the report because they say the FDA’s conclusion relied on industry-funded studies. Yesterday, the FDA met again and stated that BPA is safe but in the same breath, gave suggestions for how to avoid it. Many states decided months ago to not wait for this report and are acting on their own by banning the chemical in baby bottles. Legislation has even been introduced to ban BPA in children’s products. Canada has banned the use of BPA in baby bottles and New Jersey and at least 10 other states are evaluating bills to restrict use of BPA. BPA has been getting a lot of attention due to the fact that it can be found in baby bottles, teething toys, pacifiers, and reusable water bottles but it doesn’t end there. Let’s start with things related to babies. Z Recommends offers the most comprehensive information I’ve ever come across on specific baby items that do not contain BPA. Their list has specific BPA-free choices for baby bottles, teethers, tableware, pacifiers, utensils, feeding aids, sippy cups and pumping supplies. They also offer a text messaging service where you can get “on the go” information sent to your phone when you’re out shopping for any of these items. BPA is also found in the epoxy resin that seals the metal lids on ALL baby food in glass jars. Yes, even Earth’s Best organic baby food. There are a few BPA-free options. These would include prepared frozen baby food, such as Happy Baby or Yummy Spoonfuls, Gerber’s baby food in the plastic containers (type 7 plastic which has been confirmed by Green and Clean Mom to be a combination of type 1 and 2 plastics in this instance), or make your own. Infant formula also comes in contact with BPA. Liquid formula in cans has the highest levels but it can also be found in the epoxy resin on the peel-back protective coverings on powder formula. Some liquid formula in plastic containers does not contain BPA. The Environmental Working Group has very useful information on their site about this. Other non-baby related items where BPA can be found are canned goods. Acidic food, such as tomatoes, cause the BPA in cans to be even higher. Eden’s Organic beans are the only canned goods that do not contain BPA. It needs to be noted that any of their other canned goods do contain it. To avoid BPA, try to buy fresh or frozen foods or food in glass jars. Yes, the glass jars would contain BPA in the lids, as mentioned above, but it would be less than what is found in canned goods. Reusable water bottles and reusable plastic food containers can also contain BPA. RubberMaid has put together a list of their BPA-free products and The Green Guide has made a very useful list on BPA-free safe containers. When purchasing plastic items for your home, safer choices would be looking for those made from type 1,2,4 or 5 plastics. An easy way to remember this would be when holding up your hand, never point your middle finger (fingers 1,2, 4 and 5 will remain up!). The Green Mommy isn’t going to tell you what to do, but as long as questions continue to arise about BPA, she’s going to play it safe and continue to avoid it with the many other options that are available.