Bisphenol A aka I Just Threw Away $100 Worth of Plastic!

Much has been written lately about Bisphenol A and the dangers it presents in food containers and baby bottles. A quick summary as to why it is a problem:

from www.ewg.org

"Health/Toxics: Bisphenol A

Issue Summary

BPA is a component of epoxy resins that are used to line food cans and to make hard plastic polycarbonate bottles and containers, popularized by Nalgene and others. It leaches into food, water, and infant formula and has been detected in 93 percent of all Americans tested by the Centers for Disease Control. BPA raises special concerns because numerous studies have found it to be toxic at exposure levels equivalent to or even below the amounts detected in people. BPA is linked to breast and prostate cancer and neurobehavioral changes in offspring exposed in the womb.

BPA is a signature compound in the fight for reform of the nation's toxic chemicals laws. It contaminates nearly all Americans, it causes toxic effects at very low doses, the effects associated with BPA, like breast and prostate cancer, are on the rise, yet the EPA has only the most clumsy and convoluted authority to control its use and reduce exposure to populations at risk."

Now, I am not usually an alarmist when it comes to environmental dangers, and try not to overreact to every "this could be harmful" article that comes along. BPA, however, is scary. The fact that it is SO prevalent, that it has been so strongly linked to some health issues that have become epidemic in my lifetime, and that the time frame for highest exposure is from birth to six years old is enough to make me take a second look. The research is bothersome and the fact that many European countries and Canada have acted so much faster in safeguarding the health and well-being of their citizens in regard to these toxins only serves to illustrate the power of the almighty dollar in determining public health policy in America. That is a subject for a different post altogether, though!

I checked the 2 baby bottles we still own and the are Medela's, which are regarded as safe. I just threw away 19 plastic food containers, 8 sippy cups, and a bunch of other cheapy cups and dishes we have accumulated over the years. Based on what is out there being reported there are problems with toxins leaching from type 3, 6, and 7 plastics. I was shocked to see that the Organic Gerber baby food I had bought for Abby is packaged in toxic type 7 plastic! I wrote to Gerber last night and am awaiting a response, and chucked out 8 2-packs of baby food. Back to Earth's Best Organic for Abby.

Please take the time to read about BPA, and protect your children and your family. It is becoming glaringly more apparent that we cannot and should not trust ourselves and our loved ones to a bureaucracy that places safety somewhere less than first in its list of priorities.