I’ve been meaning to write this post for a while. It is long overdue. On June 22nd, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health held a public hearing on a proposed regulation for “a limited ban on reusable food and beverage containers containing BPA and intended for use by children three and under, which would mean baby bottles and sippy cups.” I testified at this hearing. My testimony is quoted here. For those of you who don’t know, bpA (bisphenol A) is a chemical found in plastics. Many people have heard about its presence in water bottles (Nalgene, famously, and others), baby bottles, sippy cups and formula containers. But most people have no idea how widespread this chemical is and how it affects the human body. So, what is bpA anyway? BpA is a chemical that hardens plastics. (It has the opposite function of that other toxic chemical additive pthalate which softens plastics.) BpA is an “endocrine disruptor.” This means, simply, that it interferes with the normal functioning of hormones in our bodies. Since hormones affect every single bodily function, this a huge problem. BpA, specifically, mimics estrogen in the body. Because of this effect, bpA increases the rate of breast cancer, prostate cancer, birth defects such as hypospadias (which my youngest son was born with- see why this is so important to me?), early puberty, obesity, diabetes, heart disease,miscarriage, reproductive problems, Yikes. So, do you want to avoid bpA? Good luck. It’s everywhere. BpA has been removed from many water bottles, baby bottles and sippy cups already. In fact, many states have banned its use in these products (Maryland, Connecticut, Minnesota, Illinois/ Chicago, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, also Canada and much of Europe), California and New York legislatures have passed a ban and are awaiting their governors to sign the bill, and other states, like Massachusetts, are considering such a ban. But many of these bans don’t take effect for 1, 2 or even 3 years and most of them DO NOT cover the greatest sources of bpA exposure. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) has pledged to include a federal ban on bpA in the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (which appears to have stalled in the Senate). Feinstein, together with Congressman Edward Markey (D-MA) and Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) introduced the Ban Poisonous Additives Act of 2009. It has been stalled in committee in both the House and the Senate since March of 2009. These bills face massive opposition from Big Food and Big Chemical companies.
Breaking News: The Natural Resources Defense Council has filed a lawsuit against the FDA in an attempt to force action on banning BpA. Read the article in the NY Times here.
OK, so where is bpA? It’s in plastics such as water bottles, baby bottles, sippy cups, “reusable food and beverage containers” (you know, like Tupperware, Gladware), plastic wrap (SARAN Wrap is bpA free), 5Gal spring water cooler bottles (you know, like Poland Springs), even metal water bottles that are lined can have bpA. It is in CANS. Nearly all metal food cans are lined with plastic that contains bpA. This includes soups, pastas (like Spaghetti-Os), fish, sodas, juices, beer, fruits, vegetables, beans, tomato products and any other food sold in a can. Eden Organics does NOT use bpA in its canned beans but DOES use it in its canned tomatoes. Muir Glen uses bpA (though it is “looking into” alternatives) and so does Amy’s. For more information on which companies use bpA and which do not, click here. BpA is also found in register receipts that use thermally-sensitive paper (which is most of them). There is bpA in the ink. In fact, store clerks, as a group, have some of the highest levels of bpA in their bodies. Have you ever let your child hold the receipt?….. I used to. BpA is also in the plastics used in medical equipment, including IV tubing. It is also found in dental sealants and white dental fillings. The food and medical industries are quick to tell you that bpA is an essential component and eliminating it will compromise food and medical safety. This is a lie. There are alternatives available, right now. For food cans, a bpA-free lining costs approximately a penny a can more. That’s it. Wouldn’t you pay one penny more to have safe food? What I find most alarming is that the vast majority of people have no idea what bpA is or why they should be concerned about it. This is a silent menace. Do you remember lead in paint? arsenic in pressure-treated wood? DES for pregnant mamas? These substances have all now been banned but the companies that made them insisted that they were safe right up until they were removed from the market. BpA is currently under review by the FDA, a process that will take 18-24 months. Legislation takes years to move through the system and go into effect. But you don’t have to wait. Educate yourself, protect yourself, NOW. I am putting up a whole section of links on my website about bpA. Please check it out.