There are chemicals used in production of food and drink cans and one particular one known as bisphenol A or BPA is in regular use in the manufacture of baby bottles.  Its use in manufacturing is a controversial one in science but consumers continue to use plastic containers for their regular intake of drinking water. Babies, however are far more sensitive to harm from BPA.

This chemical is capable of disrupting our endocrine system and hormones and even in low doses it suspected to be linked to problems such as infertility, breast cancer, obesity, prostate cancer, thyroid malfunction and ADHD in children.  Dr Rye Senjen a campaigner from Friends of the Earth organization, is quoted as saying “…with endocrine disrupters a very low dose can be much worse than a medium size dose. The endocrine system is a very, very finely balanced system and very low doses can disturb that system.”

Research has shown that to some extent we are all exposed to BPA and one study has shown 93% of the urine from persons tested showed high levels but the greatest levels were shown to be in children.

Heating plastic causes more leaching of the chemical into the water, or milk, in the case of infants and introduces an additional danger of toxicity for babies particularly as it is a common practice to heat and even re-heat a baby’s bottle.

In the main Australian standards regarding toxic chemical use is highly rated. But up to this date there are other questionable substances suspected of causing health problems that are not yet banned here, although banned in other countries. These include for instance, many food dyes, the pesticide endosulphan and trans fats.

It is best to question these issues but in the meantime, rethink your use of plastic bottles and protect yourself from a possible carcinogenic that we could well do without.

However, protect your babies and use the safe, although not trendy –glass bottle or improved alternatives that offer no health threat.

There are a number of improved, safe products available.

Tags: bisphenol A is a danger in bottles, food cans and clear water bottles, toxic BPA

Filed under: Nutrition, Women's Interests by admin