What’s the deal with BPA?
Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a chemical used to make polycarbonate plastics, including water bottles. Additionally, it is used in the linings of some metal food cans.
It was originally developed as a synthetic estrogen but its purpose was later changed to the production of polycarbonate.
As a synthetic estrogen BPA is an endocrine disruptor. Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that interfere with the body’s hormonal system and often have adverse health effects.
BPA enters our bodies through the consumption of food and drinks contaminated with BPA.
Overtime polycarbonate plastics leach BPA into the substances they hold. The USDA recently found that 95% of Americans have BPA in their systems.
What does that mean for us?
Evidence suggests that human BPA exposure is linked to prostate cancer, altered brain development and behavior, insulin resistance, recurrent miscarriage, endocrine disruption and altered mammary gland development.
Most of the current research on BPA has been conducted on animals, yet it is likely that BPA produces similar effects in humans.
Now what?
- Avoid #7 Polycarbonate bottles; opt for polyethylene bottles (#1, 2 or 4).
- When polycarbonate containers are necessary, avoid heating them. BPA leaches faster when heated.
- Avoid canned food.
- Choose BPA-free plastics.
Created By the Green Admirals
