Have You Checked Your Baby’s Bottles for BPA?

Heard of Bisphenol-A (BPA)? If not, get ready, because you’re about to. The chemical is used in a variety of consumer products, but its use in water bottles, baby bottles, and food cans that has been a growing source of concern due to BPA’s possible links to number of health problems.

Now The Boston Globe is reporting that CVS has joined Wal-Mart, Nalgene and “other companies in pulling tens of thousands of the shatter-proof, transparent products off store shelves” because they contain BPA. According to the article, BPA has been linked to reproductive problems and possible cancers in animals. It’s also possible that it contributes to obesity. However, plastics industry representatives say “no study has proved a link between Bisphenol A and health problems in humans.”

So let me get this straight: a growing number of scientists and consumer groups have been warning about the possible dangers of BPA and now retailers, including the world’s largest, are pulling products containing BPA off the shelves. And while all this is happening, the chemical industry is saying not to worry? Hmm, I wonder whom I should trust with my family’s health.

Since the evidence is pointing toward BPA being harmful, does it make sense to keep using products that contain it? Of course not. Look, if the chemical industry turns out to be right, and independent studies support them, I’ll consider using products containing BPA again. But until that happens I’m going to look for alternatives.

What can you do?

Well, for starters, don’t panic. Although the list of possible medical issues is scary, remember that no direct link between BPA and those issues in humans has been identified. However, according to a source quoted by The New York Times article linked below, “research strongly suggested that polycarbonate food and beverage containers and food cans were the main source of human exposure to B.P.A.” So reducing or eliminating your family’s exposure to these sources should also reduce the potential risk. And doing this is easy:

1 - Check Your Plastic Bottles and Containers
Look at the recycling logo on any shatterproof plastic bottles or containers you’re using to store food or beverages, including baby bottles. If the number 7 appears inside the logo, the container may contain BPA and you should consider using alternatives. I found the logo on our Nalgene bottles, but thankfully not on our daughter’s cups. Her old bottles, Playtex Ventaire Naturals, had no recycling mark on them, but the Z Report (see below) shows other bottles in the Ventaire line as containing BPA, so I’m glad we’re done using them.

2 - Look for BPA-Free Alternatives
If you do find problem containers, see if you can identify other options, especially for baby bottles. One place to look is the Z Report on BPA in Children’s Feed Products. This site has BPA information for bottles, tableware, pacifiers, utensils, and more. They also offer a text-messaging service, a great option if you want information on a product while you’re in the store. Simply send a text message containing the company name and product line (e.g. ‘avent pacifiers’) and you’ll receive an automated reply with related information.

As far as food cans go, just reduce the amount of canned foods you eat by eating fresh or frozen foods instead. Of course, this also means you’ll probably be eating better, so that’s an added bonus.

3 - Learn More About Bisphenol A
This is a developing issue and both sides are trying to promote their views. The best thing you can do is stay informed and make up your own mind. Go beyond what you see on the nightly news and do your own research. I found the links below by searching Google for “Bisphenol A”, but there are plenty more out there.

• A Hard Plastic is Raising Hard Questions - New York Times (added 4/23)
• Canada Likely to Label Plastic Ingredient ‘Toxic’ - New York Times
• News You Can Use: How Can I Avoid BPA? - ABC News
• Bisphenol A Free
• National Geographic Green Guide
• Wikipedia Entry on Bisphenol A
• Z Recommends collection of BPA links (added 4/29)
• Safe Mamma BPA Free Bottle and Sippy Cup Cheat Sheet (added 5/07)
• Plastics Industry Sites:
  • American Chemistry Council’s “Facts on Plastic”
  • BisphenolA

So let’s hear from you: Did you find any products with BPA in your home? If so, what alternatives are you using?

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