Studies about BPA and how to reduce your exposure to BPA:
Bisphenol-A is a hormone-disruptive chemical found in plastic bottles and canned food. BPA can manipulate estrogen level and disrupt process of endorphin in the body. Although many studies have linked BPA to cancer, diabetes, autism, infertility, neurological problems and heart disease, recently, FDA updated their web site mentioning that “current perspective on BPA is that the chemical is “safe” at the exposure levels from product packaging”.
Why BPA is toxic to your health and here are some of the recent studies about BPA:
- A new study by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) published in journal of Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP) has linked BPA exposure to breast cancer.
- BPA is polluting and contaminating the wild life. Researchers at University of New Orleans and the University of Minnesota have found devastating effects of BPA on the fish population. The researchers have also discovered that BPA disrupts fish’s hormones and can cause behavioral changes.
- A recent study by Columbia Center for Children's Environmental Health at the Mailman School of Public Health and published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology shows that early childhood exposure to BPA increases the chances of asthma in young children.
- Another study published in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology reveals that avoiding plastic containers and buying organic foods might not be enough to protect you against hormone-disruptive chemicals like BPA. However, since we can’t control the environmental pollutions in our air, soil and water, we should control our diet and lower our exposure to plastic containers and canned food. http://www.seattleorganicrestaurants.com/vegan-whole-foods/avoid-canned-food/
- Researchers from Duke Universityin North Carolina have discovered that babies who are exposed to BPA during their early developmental stages in womb are at a higher chances of developing future neurological problems. Researchers also discovered that early exposure to BPA can cause other problems such as lower immune system, behavioral problems and weigh abnormalities.
- According to a study performed by researchers at New York University, children and adults who are exposed to higher levels of BPA are at higher risk of kidney damage, heart disease and obesity.
- A recent study by North Carolina University also shows that both nervous system and brain are affected due to exposure to BPA.
How to reduce your exposure to BPA:
- Don’t buy products (beans, fruits and vegetables and tomato sauce) in cans and if you are looking for your favorite tomato sauce, buy the ones in glass jars. Buy fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables instead of the ones in cans and buy dried beans instead of canned ones.
- Don’t drink from bottled water all the time and don’t leave the plastic bottles in direct exposure to the sun. Also, avoid refilling and reusing old plastic bottles.
- Avoid storing foods and drinks in plastic containers and use glass jars instead.
- Don’t microwave your food, especially frozen foods in plastic containers made from Polycarbonate.
- Avoid cooking in non-stick cookware like Teflon that can contaminate your food with BPA and chemical C8. Use stainless steel or copper pans and pots instead.
- Ask your dentist for mercury-free and BPA-free composite fillings.
- Wash your hands frequently, since many items around us like thermal paper commonly used in the cash register receipts are made from BPA.
- Use baby bottles that are BPA-free since many companies offer baby bottles made without BPA.
- Be aware of infant formulas that can have toxic foods, additives and preservatives. Nearly 15 brands of infant formula including Similar and Enfamil are contaminated with dioxin, genetically modified organisms, BPA, melamine (causing kidney failure), AGE (advanced glycoprotein end products) and high fructose corn syrup.
- The fewer canned foods, processed foods and sodas you consume, the less is your exposure to BPA. Buy organic fresh fruits and vegetables and prepare your own food from sketch.
- Show your support for organizations like the Breast Cancer Fund and the Environmental Working Group who are aggressively researching BPA effects, informing the public, and pushing the legislators to ban or limit your exposure to BAP.
Sources:
http://www.fastcompany.com/1139298/real-story-behind-bisphenol
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/256978.php
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/09/18/us-study-links-bpa-obesity-in-kids-idUSBRE88H0RE20120918
http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0043890
http://www.oregonlive.com/foodday/index.ssf/2013/07/bpa_in_canned_food.html
