What is BPA, and why should you avoid it?
What is BPA?
BPA is a chemical substance used to make a wide variety of items such as:
- water bottles
- baby bottles
- DVD’s
- sport’s equipment
- coating for most canned food and drinks
- Lining of water pipes
- Sales Receipts
BPA and Health
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences names BPA as an endocrine disruptor, which they describe as “chemicals that may interfere with the body’s endocrine system and produce developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune effects in both humans and wildlife.” The NIEHS also claims that “Research shows that endocrine disruptors may pose the greatest risk during prenatal and early postnatal development when organ and neural systems are forming.”
BPA has also been linked to other health problems, such as: (http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/221205.php)
- Male impotence
- Heart disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Brain function (affecting memory, and learning)
- Breast cancer
- Asthma
BPA’s effect on human health has been found to be so alarming that it has even been banned from use in baby bottles and other food containers, in several other countries. (http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2011/03/14/china-malaysia-latest-nations-ban-bpa)
How can you avoid coming into contact with BPA?
If this sounds like a substance you would rather not bring in contact with your body and environment, here are a few things you can do to avoid BPA as much as possible:
- Avoid canned food (look for paper cartons of usually canned items)
- Look for bottled beverages with glass containers
- Don’t microwave plastic containers (heating has been found to break down polycarbonate plastic and release BPA)
- Use baby bottles that are BPA free
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