Toxic Exposure from Plastic Bottle Manufacturers- BPA

Many consumers are raising an eyebrow over products containing a component known as BPA. Agencies such as the FDA, CDC, and many other government and private companies are learning more and more about this chemical, and the findings are not good. Learn what you need to know about toxic BPA exposure as a consumer.

What is BPA?

According to The National Institute of Environmental Health Services, BPA is an abbreviation for a chemical called Bisphenol A. This is a substance made in hefty capacities to use mainly in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. BPA is synthetic estrogen used by manufactures to harden products.
BPA is found in:

Ø  Food and beverage containers such as baby bottles or water bottles

Ø  Safety equipment

Ø  Compact Discs

Ø  Certain types of medical devices

Ø  Food cans

Ø  Water pipes

Ø  Bulletproof glass

Ø  Sunglasses

Ø  …and more

Dangerous Exposure

According to the FDA, reputable studies have shown repeatedly that there is a cause for alarm when it comes to BPA exposure. This chemical has possibly dangerous effects on the brain and cognitive behavior in adults. BPA is also thought to impact the prostate glands of fetuses, infants, and children. Furthermore, The Endocrine Society warns that an endocrine disrupting substance like BPA can alter hormonal and homeostatic systems. Increased levels of this chemical is also linked to the early onset of puberty in children. BPA is even thought to interfere with certain medical treatments like chemotherapy.

BPA exposure is also linked to:

·         Behavioral Changes

·         Brain Damage

·         Breast Cancer

·         Asthma

·         Cardiovascular system damage

·         Diabetes

·         Down syndrome

·         Reproductive system abnormalities

·         Weakened immune system

·         Obesity           

Reducing Risk and Exposure

The startling truth is that the majority of the population is walking around with BPA in their system. The CDC has found BPA occurring at a rate of 93% in tested urine samples of a group of people over the age of 6. BPA primarily gets into our bodies through contaminated food and water but can also enter our systems through contaminated air, water, and dust particles. Use BPA free bottles and products – this is the easiest way to avoid exposure. It can also be really tricky at times to identify BPA products but most BPA free products are now labeled as such. Plastic containers that may contain BPA are labeled with a number 7 recycling code – look for containers labeled with a 2, 4, or 5 for a safer plastic.

BPA has been banned from the use in infant products in the USA, Canada, Japan, and parts of Europe but some people still use baby products with BPA- avoid used baby products or hand me downs. Watch your temperature – BPA in plastics is released at higher concentrations when it is heated; this commonly occurs in the microwave and in the dishwasher. Older containers are more likely to emit BPA, throw away any worn food and beverage storage containers if you are not positive that it does not contain the substance. Soup lovers need to consider making their soup fresh instead of getting it from a can since Harvard Science has found that eating one serving of canned soup daily can increase BPA levels a startling 1,221 percent!