Why BPA-free products may also pose a health risk.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
The Claim: BPA-free products are safer.
Woman: “I’m concerned that my family is exposed to BPA that’s in plastic bottles so that’s why I look for bottles that say BPA-free.”
BPA… short for Bisphenol A… is a chemical found in a wide array of products from plastic bottles to eyeglass lenses. Some studies have linked it to health problems, especially in children… prompting a growing number of manufacturers to switch to alternatives to BPA. While these products may appear to be safer, there’s no guarantee that they are.
Perhaps the most familiar source of BPA is polycarbonate plastic … the kind in reusable food containers and water bottles.
The linings of canned food and beverages also contain the chemical.
The fact that small amounts can migrate from these containers into food… and that BPA mimics the hormone Estrogen… has raised concerns about safety.
That’s reinforced by studies, many of them in animals and test tubes, linking exposure to BPA in the womb and during infancy…. To developmental and behavioral problems, as well as asthma and obesity in children.
In adults preliminary studies have found associations between BPA and a host of health issues ranging from fertility problems to heart disease.
But none of this research proves that BPA causes harm at levels to which we’re exposed…. leaving scientists in disagreement over whether BPA is safe.
Still, to help allay consumers’ concerns, many manufacturers have switched to BPA substitutes.
The problem is that these alternatives have not been well studied, and tests have shown that some leach Estrogen-like chemicals into containers just as BPA does.
That includes baby bottles and sippy cups, all of which are now BPA -free.
Amid this uncertainty, there are things you can do to protect yourself and your family if you’re concerned
Use glass or stainless steel containers instead of polycarbonate. The number 7 on the bottom is a clue it may be polycarbonate.
Don’t put boiling liquid in polycarbonate containers or clean them in the dishwasher, since high heat may cause the plastic to break down and leach more chemicals.
Whenever possible, buy foods in jars or cartons instead of cans.
It may surprise you that thermal paper – the kind used for cash register and ATM receipts – also contains BPA. A government study of 19 possible substitutes for this use found “no clearly safer alternatives.” Until some are developed, your best bet is to wash your hands with soap and water after touching receipts, especially before you eat. Or better yet, go paperless.
Helping you be a Healthy Skeptic, I’m Robert Davis.