What is BPA?         

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a chemical compound containing two phenol functional groups, belonging to the phenol class of aromatic organic compounds.  It is a key ingredient in the creation of polycarbonate plastic, a hard, clear plastic used widely in consumer products, including baby bottles and food containers for over 50 years.

Bisphenol-A was first synthesized by A.P. Dianin in 1891.  In the 1950s scientists discovered the chemical could be used to make polycarbonate plastic and some epoxy resins to line food and beverage cans.

The European Food Safety Authority has published in September 2010 its Scientific Opinion on Bisphenol A: evaluation of a study investigating its neurodevelopmental toxicity, review of recent scientific literature on its toxicity and advice on the Danish risk assessment of Bisphenol A.

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Its current uses are as a primary monomer in polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins.  Bisphenol-A is also used as an antioxidant in plasticizers and as a polymerization inhibitor in PVC. Polycarbonates are widely used in many consumer products, including sunglasses, CDs, water and food containers, and shatter-resistant baby bottles.

A growing body of scientific research suggests that the chemical may leach out of polycarbonate feeding bottles and containers, especially when the contents are acidic, high in fat, or heated.  Research also suggests that BPA may act as an endocrine disruptor, a substance which mimics natural human hormones and could cause developmental and neurological problems in children such as early puberty, and attention disorder syndromes.  Further studies have shown an association between BPA and heart disease, diabetes and high levels of liver enzymes, while the U.S. National Institutes of Health in September 2008 determined there was some concern about BPA’s effects on foetal and infant brain development.

BPA is a known hormone disruptor that leaches at up to 55 times the rate when heated, (something which is frequently done with baby bottles) even when not heated, this harmful chemical migrates into food and drink simply through normal use, scratched and old plastics that contain BPA are particularly big leaches of the chemical.  Studies have linked low-dose BPA exposure with such effects as permanent changes to genital tract; increase in prostate weight; decline in testosterone; breast cells predisposed to cancer; prostate cells more sensitive to hormones and cancer; attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders; early onset puberty in girls and obesity.  It has also been linked to testicular cancer, diabetes, obesity, low sperm counts, miscarriages and other reproductive failures.

Our recommendation is to avoid plastic and aluminium epoxy (BPA) lined drink bottles particularly in regards to babies and children.  Only use glass or Stainless Steel baby bottles such as the ECOtanka.

For more information, please refer to these websites:-
www.toxicnation.ca/bpaqa  www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bisphenol_A