BPA Leaching from Baby Bottles Labeled “BPA-free”
by Tiffany
A recent study published by Health Canada shows BPA leaching from many mainstream brands that are labeling their products as “BPA-free”. Over the past couple of years parents have become increasingly aware of the endocrine disrupting chemical bisphenol-a (BPA) and have increasing sought out BPA-free products.
While the concentrations were low and present after exposure to high heat, this study outlines why we choose to only carry a few select products that have undergone independent testing rather than offer a whole range of items which may be of some concern. This is also one of the reasons we recommend glass and sanitary grade stainless steel that has been tested for impurities above plastic. Avoiding BPA and other endocrine disruptors is especially important for expectant moms and young children who are much more vulnerable to the toxic effects from chemicals. Keep in mind that the raw ingredients in plastic (including polyester) is oil and natural gas with some other chemicals added to give rigidity, flexibility, and softness… not really what I want to be drinking out of.
http://www.chemicalsubstanceschimiques.gc.ca/challenge-defi/study_babybottles-etude_bebe_e.html#tab1
Posted in BPA (bisphenol-A), Health and Product Safety, Plastics and what You Need to Know, Pre-Conception | No Comments »
Autism and Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals
by Tiffany
With my introduction to the wolrd of autism a few years back came a slurry of rather disturbing information. First is the extreme rise over the past 30 years, then the attempt to find causation and treatments. From 1993 to 2003 autism diagnoses increased 800%. The million, make that billion, dollar question: “what is causing this increase?”. While much is disagreed upon in the autism community one theory leads the way and that is that autism is like cancer. That is a genetic predisposition component and environmental triggers that can result in something along the pervasive developmental disorder continuum.
What are these environmental triggers? With cancer we know of many carcinogens, with autism it seems fitting to look at known neurotoxins: mercury, lead, various pesticides, endocrine disruptors, and the like. The science and research is still very young (and underfunded) which leaves many unknowns.
If you spend enough time in the research and looking at the numbers it can be a really frightening scenario especially for those about to start a family. The choices that a parent has to make seem to be getting more and more difficult maneuvering through baby bottles, crib mattresses, vaccines, food, personal care products, toys, and even the clothes we bring them home in. While it can be a little startling at first, we as a society have left things unchecked for too long and a little forethought is worth a lifetime of health.
About a month ago I ran into this article on endocrine disrupting chemicals (e.,g. BPA) by Dr. Harvey Karp which draws some conclusions as to their possible roles in autism.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/harvey-karp/cracking-the-autism-riddl_b_221202.html
Posted in Autism, BPA (bisphenol-A), Health and Product Safety, Phthalates, Pre-Conception, Toy Safety | No Comments »
Coco-Cola, The American Chemistry Council, and Del Monte: The new R.J. Reynolds and Phillip Morris
by Tiffany
photo by: estres
In case you have not heard the Washington Post obtained notes from a private meeting in which executives from Coco-Cola, Del Monte, The American Chemistry Council to name a few held to devise tactics to imporove the reputation of BPA (bisphenol a). The minutes bear such resemblance to leaked information from the tobacco industry. My favorite is their presumption that it would be unlikely to get a scientific spokesperson. Then they go on to prey on pregnant women saying, their “holy grail” would be a “pregnant young mother who would be wiling to speak around the country about the benefits of BPA”.
Why would there be such concern from the BPA industry? Well they are going to try to tell you there is nothing harmful from this chemical and that the alternatives are so much more expensive, but what they really mean is that BPA is a multi-billion dollar industry and they want to protect their money. Now I cannot say that the decline of the BPA industry will not have some negative effects, multi-billion dollar companies employ many people. Of course most of those people make minimum wage and only a few make the big bucks, but none the less there are jobs that will be lost. Which is why, given the current economic climate, I am not for an all out ban. What I am for is FULL DISCLOSURE so that consumers can make their own fully informed choice and a ban for use in products like baby bottles and sippys.
What it boils down to is years of scientific research documenting negative health effects from BPA exposure (from cancer, to reproductive damage, to neurological disorders) and these companies looking the other way instead of looking for safer alternatives. These companies are gambling with your health and the health of your children in the name of making money. If you think this is as ridiculous as I do, let everyone around you know about this deception. If not, I am sure these companies will pay handsomely for their “young pregnant spokesperson”.
Full Washington Post Article
Summary of Linked Minutes from Environmental Working Group
If you want to tell Coco-Cola and Del Monte what you think:
Coca-Cola: 1-800-GET-COKE, then press 2
Del Monte: 1-800-543-3090
Posted in BPA (bisphenol-A), Plastics and what You Need to Know, Uncategorized | No Comments »
BPA and the Vulnerability of Infants
by Tiffany
A study recently published in environmental perspectives estimates that newborns have 11 times the amount of BPA in their blood due to an inactivity of enzymes that are known to help dismantle BPA. Even more importantly, this is another piece of evidence that newborns and adults metabolize substances differently which calls for chemical exposure standards to take into account the vulnerability of developing systems. When this is taken into account with bisphenol-A (BPA) and the numerous studies linking it to adverse health effects even in low doses that date back to the 1930’s should we really take a chance? Of course, my answer is no. Over the past few months studies have been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences linking low level chronic exposure of BPA to alteration of cognitive function and depression and in The Journal of the American Medical Association linking BPA to cardiovascular disease and diabetes. These on top of the well documented effects BPA has on our endocrine system is enough to inspire me to eliminate this chemical from my life especially since I am in my child bearing years. It was not that long ago that scientists believed the placenta to protect developing fetuses from environmental contaminants, I can even remember being taught by a science teacher that the baby was protected in the womb from toxic substances. However, hard evidence presented through biomonitoring, such as Environmental Working Group’s study on Pollution in Newborns, tells us other wise as newborn umbilical cords have tested positive for over 200 chemicals. Even after pregnancy mothers should not only protect their child from contact with hazardous substances but avoid toxins themselves as chemicals also show up in breast milk. DISCLAIMER: Breast milk is still the best way to nourish your baby. Limiting your exposure to chemicals that you would not want going into your babies mouth is just good practice while breast feeding.
Posted in BPA (bisphenol-A), Green Pregnancy | No Comments »
