(NaturalHealth365) Avoiding Bisphenol A, (BPA) the endocrine-disrupting chemical found in plastics, has become easier than ever thanks to concerned bottle manufacturers. BPA was used in the 1930’s as an artificial estrogen to not only fatten poultry and cattle, but as a form of estrogen replacement for women. But, there is good reason to be concerned with “BPA free” plastic bottles.
In the 1940’s, Bayer and General Electric used BPA to harden polycarbonate plastics and make epoxy resin. From there it went on to find its way into everyday consumer foods – such as epoxy resin liners for canned foods, beverage containers including milk, juice and soda bottles and even many water pipes.
Don’t trust the “safety” of BPA (and BPA free) plastic bottles
The release of BPA is related to water temperature and it is released 55 times more rapidly in hot water. Did you know that bottles that were nine years old release the same amount of BPA as new bottles? BPA has been shown to be an estrogen-like chemical and can cause estrogen dependent cancers; breast and prostrate cancers are both associated with BPA along with fertility problems.
Here’s the problem with the new BPA-free bottles: they may contain biodegradable plastic substitutes (BPS), or other similar toxic chemicals that have NOT been mentioned by the manufacturers. BPS appears to have similar hormone-mimicking characteristics, which are similar to BPA. Do you think we should wait for an industry study for safety results?
Biodegradable plastics are worse on the environment
There is even some evidence that BPS shows a relative inability to biodegrade, which may mean that once it is absorbed into the human body it may stay for a longer period of time. In addition, it is more likely to persist in the environment making external exposure to these toxic fumes – more common place.
The industry has offered a tweaked molecule in BPS, which could turn out to be as bad or worst than BPA. These new versions haven’t been tested enough to see how they perform, which means they haven’t been tested in contact with boiling water, dishwashers or in every day use.
Proper testing is essential to protect public health
Pete Myers, CEO and chief scientist for Environment Health Sciences said BPS hasn’t been scrutinized as heavily as BPA. Under the existing laws, companies can introduce chemicals into the marketplace without providing any safety data, leaving the government the burden of proving a substance is toxic. In the United States, government agencies in charge of public health – don’t conduct proper safety testing of new materials for consumer products before they come to market.
There is also Bisphenol AF, BPK, Bisphenol C, Bisphenol DK F, G, M, S, PH, TMC, and Z waiting in line to be used. So swapping out BPS for another similar substance may not be the best policy.
Short of becoming a cave dweller, the only sane course of action is to use natural containers for food and buy fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables. The Environmental Working Group has stated, “BPA is at unsafe levels in one of every 10 servings of canned foods – that’s 11 percent and one of every 3 cans of infant formula (33 percent).
Unfortunately, it is becoming harder to avoid plastics since they are accessible and convenient. While glass, stainless steel, ceramic, and wood are better choices, many people still like the convenience and price of plastic.
However, when you consider the price to our health, the job of substituting more natural products shouldn’t seem overwhelming or confusing. It may not seem super simple to discard plastic bottles, toys and convenient plastic food storage containers – but it’s bad medicine to keep using them.
How do you avoid the use of plastic bottles? Post your ideas and comments below.
About the author: Blanche Levine has been a student of natural healing modalities for the last 25 years. She had the privilege of working with some of the greatest minds in Natural Healing including Naturopaths, Scientist, and Energy Healers. Having seen people miraculously heal from all kinds of dis-ease through non-invasive methods, her passion now is to help people become aware of what it takes to be healthy.