Danger in the Bottle and Can

Health and Science For Sunday 010310

Hey folks,

No I'm not talking about Alcohol. I'm not talking about Energy Drinks, or even High Fructose Corn Syrup. As a matter of fact, I'm not talking about what is IN the Bottle or the Can at all. I am talking about the Bottle and Can themselves.

You drink Diet Pop? Regular Pop? All those Energy Drinks, Coffee Drinks? What about that Bottle of Water you drink at the Gym? Or for other "Social Reasons." What about the Baby?

Now most of you know, or have at least heard of BPA in Baby Bottles. Well, do you even really understand what that is? We are going to take a look at BPA today in our first Health and Science Segment of 2010.

BPA - Bisphenol A

Discovery and Use

Background

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an important industrial chemical that is used primarily to make polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins, both of which are used in a wide variety of applications. For example, polycarbonate is used in eyeglass lenses, medical equipment, water bottles, digital media (e.g. CDs and DVDs), cell phones, consumer electronics, computers and other business equipment, electrical equipment, household appliances, safety shields, construction glazing, sports safety equipment, and automobiles1. Among the many uses for epoxy resins are industrial floorings, adhesives, industrial protective coatings, powder coatings, automotive primers, can coatings and printed circuit boards.

First Synthesis of Bisphenol A

The first reported synthesis of BPA was from Thomas Zincke of the University of Marburg, Germany. Zincke acknowledged in his paper that the synthesis of BPA, from phenol and acetone, was based on chemical reactions previously reported by others as well as unpublished work (from thesis dissertations) conducted at the University of Marburg. His paper reporting the synthesis of BPA and a number of related compounds was published in 19052. Zincke reported key physical properties of BPA (e.g., molecular composition, melting point, solubility in common solvents) but did not propose any application or use for BPA or the other materials he synthesized.

Commercial Production and Use of Bisphenol A

In 1953, Dr. Hermann Schnell of Bayer in Germany and Dr. Dan Fox of General Electric in the United States independently developed manufacturing processes for a new plastic material, polycarbonate, using BPA as the starting material. Polycarbonate plastic was found to have a unique combination of very useful properties, in particular optical clarity, shatter-resistance and high heat-resistance, which have made polycarbonate an important part of everyday life in a wide variety of applications. Commercial production began in 1957 in the United States and in 1958 in Europe. About this same time, epoxy resins were developed with the versatility to meet a wide range of industrial and consumer needs. Commercial production of BPA began in the 1950’s when large-scale uses for polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins were developed and has grown worldwide along with the continued growth of the uses for these materials.

So, what is the danger? It is a synthesised Human Hormone. It occurs naturally in the body. So it has been tested right? Well, it is one of the most tested compounds in history. However, the FDA do not do their own testing and must rely on the Creators of Chemicals to submit reports. But, I’m sure that the Manufacturers would let us know if it was unsafe. Right? (Yeah right).

But it is not just those Baby Bottles and Water Bottles. Fox News did a story on this. According to Fox News - Study Finds Plastic Chemical BPA in Name-Brand Canned Foods Wednesday, November 04, 2009

In its December issue, Consumer Reports tested soups, juice, tuna and green beans, and found that 19 name-brand foods contain some amount of BPA, which is used in the plastic lining in many canned foods. And organic foods were not exempt — they didn't always have lower levels of BPA than non-organic foods. Some labels also declared their cans BPA-free, but this claim wasn't always true either.

Consumer Reports found that the highest levels of bisphenol-A were found in Del Monte Fresh Cut Green Beans Blue Lake, Progresso Vegetable Soup and Campbell's Condensed Chicken Soup.

The study also found much-maligned BPA in Similac Advance Infant Formula and Nestle Juicy Juice in a can.

"The BPA levels in our samples of Nestle Juicy Juice, at about 9 parts per billion, were not among the highest in the foods we tested. However, considering how many servings of juice young children may consume daily, a child still could exceed a level that Consumers Union thinks would provide an adequate margin of safety," said Dr. Urvashi Rangan, director of Technical Policy, at Consumers Union, the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports.

"The lack of any safety margin between the levels that cause harm in animals and those that people could potentially ingest from canned foods has been inadequately addressed by the FDA to date," he added.

Current FDA guidelines put the upper limit of safe exposure to BPA at 50 micrograms of BPA for each kilogram of body weight. But the guidelines were based on studies done in the 1980s. The FDA is expected to issue new guidelines on what levels of BPA are safe for human consumption in the near future.

Again, based on what they are TOLD by those that profit from it's use. I found THIS very interesting. If you really want to know how to avoid BPA? Where can you go? The following is from King County Hazardous Waste Management. Yup. Not the EPA, not the FDA. A local Waste Management Company out of the State of Washington. They even tell you how much, and where to get BPA Free Products. King County Hazardous Waste Management - Bisphenol A (BPA), Plastic Bottles, Canned Goods, and You

Easy ways to avoid bisphenol A in everyday products.

Recent scientific reviews and news reports on the use of polycarbonate plastics containing bisphenol A and potential human health problems are worrying and confusing consumers.

The Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County is committed to protecting the public’s health and the environment by reducing exposure to potentially harmful chemicals. Given the current scientific understanding of biological effects of bisphenol A or BPA, there is good reason for concerned consumers to reduce their exposure to bisphenol A -containing products, especially for infants, children, and women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

Infants and young children are at greater risk because of their small size and developing bodies. Studies of laboratory animals or cultured human cells have shown exposure to bisphenol A can cause neural and behavioral changes, precancerous growths in breast and prostate tissues, early onset puberty and other effects at very low doses. In addition, bisphenol A crosses the placenta and has been found in amniotic fluid and umbilical cord tissue, showing that there is no prenatal protection from a mother’s exposure.

Recent reports from the National Institute for Environmental Health conclude that there is concern for neural and behavioral effects in fetuses, infants, and children at current levels of exposure to BPA. Presently, there are no recommended minimum exposure limits for infants or children. More research is also needed to understand all the health effects that may be associated with exposure to Bisphenol A.

There are easy ways to reduce the risk of exposure to BPA for children. Many of the ‘new’ ways are a return to earlier safe food storage practices.

Easy ways to avoid bisphenol A in everyday products

For infants and children

Breastfeeding is the best way to feed newborns and infants. Follow the tips here and on the links to reduce bisphenol A in an infant’s and nursing mom’s diet.

If you use infant formula:

•the first choice is dry powdered formula packaged in non-metal cans
•liquid formulas sold in plastic, mostly polyethylene and polypropylene (#1, 2, or 5) which do not contain any bisphenol A
•concentrated liquid formulas (diluted)
•avoid ready-to-eat liquid formulas in metal cans; they are lined with bisphenol A epoxy resin (sealant)
Use glass baby bottles or plastic bag inserts, which are made of polyethyelene, or switch to polypropylene bottles (labeled #5) that come in solid colors or are milky white, not clear.

Other resources and shopping suggestions *Adapted from National Geographic’s Green Guide Baby bottle choices

Baby Bottles (#5 Plastic)
Gerber Fashion Tints ($4.99 for 3-9 oz. bottles; http://www.thebabyoutlet.com/)
Medela Breastmilk Storage and Feeding Set ($18.99; http://www.target.com/) glass baby bottles
BornFree Vented Glass Bottles ($37.99/2-9 oz. bottles; http://www.newbornfree.com/)
Evenflo Classic Glass Nursers ($8 for 3-4 oz. or 8 oz. bottles; http://www.ingeling.com/)
Sippy Cups Klean Kanteen 12 oz. stainless steel bottle with sippy adaptor ($17.95; http://www.kleankanteen.com/)

For your family
For food storage and drinking use glass or stainless steel water bottles without plastic linings. Avoid plastic containers labeled with a 3, 6, or 7 (inside the recycle symbol). Not all number 7 plastics contain bisphenol A, but they are not separately labeled.

Dispose of cracked or scratched plastic bottles in the garbage.

When buying new bottles take along the shopper’s card: www.thegreenguide.com/doc/BGG2/saferplastics.
For descriptions of plastics and the symbols: www.thegreenguide.com/products/Kitchen/Plastic_Containers.

Foods packaged in juice boxes or cardboard "brick" cartons, by Tetra Pak and SIG Combibloc, are made of safer layers of paper, aluminum and polyethylene (#2) and are also recyclable.

Reduce your use of canned foods by using fresh or frozen foods or foods packaged in other containers like glass or cardboard brick cartons. Save canned foods for convenience or emergencies. Almost all food cans are lined with bisphenol A epoxy resin (sealant) and industry studies confirm that BPA is in canned foods and beverages.

Learn to preserve your own foods using glass containers. The WSU Cooperative Extension offers canning tips and instructions at http://foodsafety.wsu.edu/. Find a Farmer’s market with Puget Sound Fresh Food at: http://www.pugetsoundfresh.org/.

If you use plastics for food storage, follow these safety tips.

If you are using polycarbonate bottles like Nalgene (labeled #7 on the bottom), wash them by hand with mild dishwashing soap and not in the dishwasher. Harsh chemicals and heat degrade the plastic and increase leaching of bisphenol A into foods and liquids.

Avoid using plastic containers to heat food in microwaves because chemicals leach out into the food faster when heated. Ceramic, glass, and other microwaveable dishware are good alternatives.

Others links
Canned food study: www.ewg.org/reports/bisphenola
Consumer tips www.ewg.org/node/20944
Plastic Products at a Glance Chart www.checnet.org/healthehouse/pdf/plasticchart.pdf

I do not know about you, but this has got me thinking about being a bit more careful in my choices I make while shopping and the advice I am about to give my friend who is do to give birth in April. As with anything, the more we know, the better off we are. Do your own research into BPA, and make your own choice. I think I may start leaning on the side of caution and reduce my, and my families exposure.
Peter

Sources:
Bisphenol A - Website
Fox News - Study Finds Plastic Chemical BPA in Name-Brand Canned Foods
King County Hazardous Waste Management - Bisphenol A (BPA), Plastic Bottles, Canned Goods, and You