Bisphenol A and the health of your newborn

Once again, packaging has surfaced as a hot topic. This time, the debate surrounds bisphenol A and its use in common household and commercial packaging items. But it is the use of bisphenol A in baby bottles - and its link with a range of health problems, including cancer, impaired immune function, early onset of puberty and diabetes - that rightly has people most concerned.

What is Bisphenol A? Bisphenol A is a chemical commonly used in the manufacture of clear polycarbonate plastic. It is one of the top 50 products produced by the chemical industry, generating revenues in the order of $6 million per day in the United States, Europe, and Japan alone. Global bisphenol A production exceeds 6.4 billion pounds per year.

How pervasive is it? Most people reading this will have come into contact with bisphenol A at some stage in their life. A study by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 95% of Americans have detectable levels of bisphenol A in their bodies. Researchers also found that the median level of bisphenol A in humans was substantially higher than the level that causes adverse effects in other animals.

Where is it found? Bisphenol A is commonly found in a range of polycarbonate plastic products, including most plastic baby bottles. It is also found in the following:

• children’s toys
• dental sealants
• epoxy lining of food and beverage cans
• reusable drink containers
• microwavable food containers
• electronic equipment
• sports helmets
• eyeglass lenses

Why should we be concerned? Scientists have linked very low doses of bisphenol A exposure to cancers, impaired immune function, early onset of puberty, obesity, diabetes, and hyperactivity, among other problems.

What can we do? Given that bisphenol A has been found to alter cell behaviour even at very low levels – in the parts per trillion – the safest approach is to avoid using products containing it altogether. This is especially important during infancy. If you’re a young mom and would prefer that your child was not exposed to bisphenol A, you might like to consider switching to either glass bottles or one of the growing number of brands promoting bisphenol A-free bottles. Companies manufacturing Bisphenol A-free bottles that we’re aware of include Medela, Gerber, BornFree and Adiri. You might like to check one or more of these out.

You may also like to watch a brief ABC report on Bisphenol A and newborn health.

References
vom Saal, F.S. and Welshons, W.V. Large effects from small exposures: II. The importance of positive controls in low-dose research on bisphenol A. Environmental Research, Online November, 2005. doi:10.1016/j.envres.2005.09.001.
vom Saal, F.S. and Hughes, C. An extensive new literature concerning low-dose effects of bisphenol A shows the need for a new risk assessment. Environ. Health Perspect. 113:926-933, 2005.
Gibson, R.L. Toxic Baby Bottles. Scientific Study finds leaching chemicals in clear plastic baby bottles. Environment California Research & Policy Center. Feb 2007