BPA - three letters that cause concern

BPA or Bisphenol-A, is a chemical that has been used for more than 40 years in the manufacture of many hard plastic food containers such as baby bottles and reusable cups and the lining of metal food and beverage cans, including canned liquid infant formula.  

In 2002, approximately 2.8 million tons of bisphenol A (BPA) was produced globally. You can't smell, taste or see it but it is so common in society that you will come into contact with it every day. A recent study found that 95% of adults tested had BPA present in their urine.  Everyone is exposed to it!

What are the dangers for children?

Bisphenol A is one of the most extensively tested materials in use today and has been researched and studied for over 40 years. However, it is only in the last 10-15 years that concerns have been raised over its safety, particularly during pregnancy and for young babies.

Frederick vom Saal, a biology professor at the University of Missouri at Columbia, stumbled onto BPA in 1997 while studying foetal development, and has spent the last 10 years researching the effects during pregnancy and on young children.

Prof Saal says, "The foetus and infant are exquisitely sensitive to bisphenol A. One hit during a brief window of time can influence future development."

• Future fertility - Prof Saal found that BPA passes through the placenta from mother to baby, mimicking the behaviour of the natural hormone oestrogen. Even low levels of exposure while the baby is developing can cause lasting changes in reproductive and metabolic development.
• Behavioural problems - Several studies have found that Bisphenol A at extremely low levels causes changes in brain structure and behavior in rats which scientists argue show the same reaction in humans.
• Cancer - some studies have found that early exposure to BPA during infancy increases the risk of breast and prostate cancer in later life.

What can I do to keep my child safe?

Paediatrician Harvey Karp, M.D., a board member of Healthy Child Healthy World, a non-profit group that raises awareness about environmental toxins says, "There's no need to be frightened, but you should try to reduce your baby's exposure to this chemical." Jo Behm, a registered nurse with the Learning Disability Association adds, "Where it is possible to find safer alternatives, head there!" Some simple things you can do include;

• Avoid hard polycarbonate plastic, which contains BPA. Instead, use bottles made of glass, or softer, safer plastics made of polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyamide. There are many brands that carry BPA free bottles.
• Discard worn bottles (those that are cloudy or scratched): Chemicals leach into food more easily when plastics break down.
• Do not fill bottles with boiling water
• Don't leave plastic baby bottles in hot cars or direct sunlight

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