Bisphenol A located in plastics with U.S. consumption by nearly 1 million in 2003 is now being banned by certain states that prefer to do so in 2010 instead of waiting for an FDA recall. Makers of the affected plastics with Bisphenol A include: Bayer Material Science, Dow Chemical Company, SABIC Innovative Plastics (GE Plastics), Hexion Specialty Chemicals and Sunoco Chemicals.
Polycarbonate plastic which is comprised with Bisphenol A has been popular for many types of products because it is clear and shatter-proof such as for food and beverage cans, baby bottles, sip cups, water bottles, sports equipment, medical devices, dental devices, dental fillings, dental sealants, eyeglass lenses, CDs, DVDs, and household electronics.
The CDC conducted studies from 1988 to 1994 that involved urine samples which resulted in 95% of adults and 93% of children having Bisphenol A in their urine. In 2009, another study identified that people drinking from polycarbonate bottles increased urinary Bisphenol A levels by two thirds to 2 micrograms/gram creatinine.
Bisphenol A Risks
The medical conditions that may result from excessive Bisphenol A include:
- Genital tract abnormalities
- Breast tissue abnormalities that predispose the breast to cancer and hormones
- Reproductive dysfunction
- Increase in prostate weight by up to 30%
- Prostate cell disruption adding to risk of hormone increase and cancer
- Decline in testosterone
- Early puberty
- Decrease maternal behavior
- Adverse brain structure, behavior and neurological difficulties
Self Help to Protect from Harm
- Avoid canned food and polycarbonate plastic containers
- Contact policy makers in your state to ban products from sale such as Minnesota and Illinois have done.
