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Bisphenol A: Endocrine Disruptor Extraordinaire

Bisphenol A (BPA) has been known to act like estrogen since the 1930s.  Like so many now-commonplace chemicals, BPA's use began to rise starting in the 1950s.  Today, over 6 billion pounds of BPA are produced each year, making it one of the most highly produced plastics in the world.  BPA is used to make hard plastic (polycarbonate) used in baby bottles, toddler sippy cups, polycarbonate water bottles, eye glasses, CDs and DVDs, children's toys and more.  As an epoxy, BPA is used in food and beverage can linings, high-durability industrial paints, dental sealants, and glues.

Health Impacts

Bisphenol A is found in over 95% of Americans at levels above those shown to cause health problems in laboratory studies.  Because it acts at levels similar to hormones in our bodies, tiny amounts (in the range of parts per trillion) can trigger changes in our system.

Dangers posed by bisphenol A start at conception, as BPA can have profound effects on development. In addition, infants have far higher levels of BPA in their bodies than young children, who in turn have higher levels than adults.

Over the past decade, low-level exposure to BPA has been linked with many now-common ailments:

  • breast cancer
  • prostate cancer
  • early puberty
  • attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
  • spontaneous miscarriage
  • genital malformations
  • type 2 diabetes
  • obesity

In 2007, thirty-eight leading scientific experts on bisphenol A issued a statement warning of the potential dangers posed by BPA.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is under heavy scrutiny for its 2008 declaration that BPA is safe for use in consumer products.  After a Congressional investigation, leading scientists contend that the FDA overly relied on two industry-funded studies, and that its review was less than transparent. 


Taking Action

Government Action

This spring, Suffolk County became the first government body in the country to phase out BPA-based baby bottles and sippy cups. This was followed by Minnesota and Chicago and  Connecticut.

In New York State, legislation overwhelmingly passed the Assembly as part of its Earth Day package. In addition to Suffolk County, legislation to address BPA has passed in Albany and Schenectady Counties, and is now pending in Dutchess, Nassau, Tompkins and Westchester.

At the federal level, U.S. Senator Feinstein and Rep. Markey introduced the Federal BPA Act of 2009, cosponsored by New York Senator Charles Schumer and others. Senator Schumer also introduced companion legislation to phase out additional products that contain BPA.

Manufacturers and Retailers

Many companies have responded to increasing health concerns, taking action to protect their customers:

  • In March 2009, Sunoco announced it would not sell BPA for use in children's products
  • The 6 largest baby bottle manufacturers, Avent, Disney First Years, Gerber, Dr. Brown, Playtex, and Evenflo, have pledged to remove BPA from their products
  • Walmart, Target, RiteAid, CVS/Pharmacy, Toys "R" Us , and Babies "R" Us have already or are committed to phasing out BPA-containing baby products
  • Eden Foods, Heinz, and VitalChoice Wild Seafood have eliminated or minimized the use of BPA in their food can linings
  • Nalgene and Camelbak no longer sell sport water bottles containing BPA 

What You Can Do

We can’t shop or eat our way out of this problem.  Ultimately, we need strong policies to protect us from BPA and other hazardous chemicals in consumer products.  Please take action to reduce exposure to BPA:

  • Call your NYS Senator and ask them to support a BPA ban. Find your Senator here, or call the Senate Switchboard at 518-455-2800 and they'll connect you to the right office. action)
  • Click here to write a letter to the editor to your local paper.
  • Look at the food cans in your cupboard. If they're not from the companies listed above, call the 800 number on the can and tell them you want BPA-free food and beverage cans.
  • Use glass or stainless steel, and avoid plastics labeled #3 or #7.
  • Avoid heating or microwaving plastics - they may contain BPA, and even if they, who wants petroleum products in their food?
  • Choose more fresh or frozen foods over than canned goods when possible.
 

For More Information 

For more information, see Is It In Us?

 

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