Bisphenol A: Is it safe?

New Scientist article queries safety of Bisphenol A (BPA).

Caution advised with some Dental Sealants that contain BPA

See Fox News article.

Pressure from scientists and consumer groups for reduction in the use of bisphenol A (BPA)

See article in the Independent. "Andrew Watterson, professor of environmental health at the University of Stirling and a signatory to the letter, said: "It's worrying, considering the weight of the scientific evidence, that strong action to reduce human exposure is yet to be taken. Hundreds of academic studies have explicitly raised the risks of developmental harm to foetuses and young children from exposure to BPA and this should dictate a strong precautionary policy response from European regulators.""

Britain still permits controversial chemical Bisphenol-A to be used in the manufacture of a range of plastic products

Britain still permits controversial chemical Bisphenol-A to be used in the manufacture of a range of plastic products, including water bottles and the lining of food and beverage cans, like "the lining of 18 out of 20 best-selling canned food items including Heinz baked beans, Napolina tomatoes, and John West and Princes fish, as well as in tuna and sardines cans from major UK retailers Tesco, Sainsbury and Asda."

See report in the Independent and report in Food Safety News.

BPA (Bisphenol A) in plastic bottles 'poisoning us'

A leading toxicology scientist believes tighter regulations are needed to prevent chemicals leaking into the human body from common plastic drink bottles and packaging. University of Canterbury professor of toxicology Professor Ian Shaw says it is crucially important to decrease the amount of the chemical BPA from New Zealanders' diets. BPA, which leaches from food and drink containers into the body, has consistently been found in overseas tests in blood, urine and even the amniotic fluid protecting a foetus. Such chemicals are linked to health problems that can include reduced sperm count in men, early puberty in girls and increased incidence of breast and testicular cancers - and countries such as the US, the UK and Canada have become alert to potential risks.
Read article in the New Zealand Herald

Bisphenol A, or BPA, is in our food as well as our bodies

Bisphenol A, or BPA, is a synthetic estrogen that United States factories now use in everything from plastics to epoxies — about six pounds weight per American per year. More than 92 percent of Americans have BPA in their urine, and scientists have linked it — though not conclusively — to everything from breast cancer to obesity, from attention deficit disorder to genital abnormalities in boys and girls alike. Now it turns out it’s in our food.
Read article in the New York Times (USA)

Iffy chemical, Bisphenol A, still present in some babies' plastic feeding bottles in the UK.

Baby bottle chemical is removed
article on the BBC News website

Extract:

"The makers of babies' bottles in the US are to remove a controversial chemical from their products, amid growing concern over its possible effects.

The six manufacturers say they are reacting to consumer demand by removing Bisphenol A (BPA) from their bottles.

But they will continue selling bottles containing BPA in the UK, a decision which has angered campaigners.

The Food Standards Agency insists BPA in UK plastic products is "well below the levels considered harmful".

The chemical is widely used in plastic manufacture and is commonly found in food and drink containers.

Heated bottles

There has been growing concern about the possible effects of BPA leaching into babies' feed when bottles are heated.

The current advice for parents is not to pour boiling liquid directly into bottles, not to microwave them or use scratched or worn ones.

Research carried out at Exeter University found that adults with high levels of BPA in their system were more prone to heart disease and diabetes

Dr Iain Lang, who led the study, said: "There is not enough to provide us with the evidence to say there is definitely a link, there is definitely something going on."

I reckon most parents would prefer to err on the side of caution where their baby's health is concerned.

Fears are growing over the safety of a chemical, bisphenol A, or BPA, found in plastic baby bottles.

Baby bottles contain 'harmful' chemical

Extract from the Telegraph:

"American scientists have issued a warning over bisphenol A, or BPA, which they say can affect the reproductive, neurological and immune systems.

Now the National Childbirth Trust has asked for all plastic baby bottles to be clearly labelled for BPA content.

The US retail giant Wal-Mart has already said it would stop selling bottles made with the chemical, while the Canadian government wants it banned altogether.

Scientists with the US National Toxicology Programme concluded that BPA “can cause changes in behaviour and the brain, prostate gland, mammary gland and the age at which females attain puberty”."