Beware BPA Exposure, Says the FDA (At Last!)

Why does this look to me like another (obvious) argument against letting an industry self-regulate and self-test?

Today, Lindsay Layton of the Washington Post revealed that after years of rumblings from the scientific, medical and public health communities, the FDA has finally expressed concerns that perhaps Bisphenol A - the chemical compound used to harden plastics in water bottles, can liners, food storage containers and a host of other products - might not be as safe as two studies funded by the chemical industry asserted it was.

In choosing these two studies for its decision to bless BPA as safe, Layton writes, the FDA "ignored more than 100 published studies by government scientists and university laboratories that raised health concerns about BPA. Recent data found health effects even at low doses of BPA -- lower than the levels considered safe by the FDA."

In response, a representative from the American Chemistry Council stood by the study results due to the convenience and usefulness of BPA: "Plastics made with BPA contribute safety and convenience to our daily lives because of their durability, clarity and shatter-resistance. Can liners and food-storage containers made with BPA are essential components to helping protect the safety of packaged foods. . . . ACC remains committed to consumer safety, and will continue to review new scientific studies concerning the safety of BPA."

While BPA is used in a wide variety of products, you do have alternatives if you choose to question the chemical industry's two self-serving studies, and prefer to follow the weight of scientific evidence and the FDA's belated advice to avoid exposure.

Here are just a few tips to help you and your family stay safe:

• Shop naked - buying naked produce, that is, not wearing your birthday suit. For one thing, you'll be able to see all sides of your fruits or veggies; for another, you'll be keeping those Styrofoam trays and shrinkwrap plastic covers out of landfills....and avoiding the BPA in food wrap.
• Store food in Pyrex, Corningware or other nonporous, chemically inert materials rather than plastic, especially if it is still warm.
  
• When you buy reusable water bottles, choose stainless steel rather than plastic or aluminum.
• If you microwave food, use wax paper to cover it rather than plastic wrap.Don't microwave food in plastic bags or cover hot foods with plastic wrap.
• Before you buy pacifiers, teething rings, bottles, nipples or other baby gear, check to be sure it has "BPA-Free" on the label.  Look for stainless steel sippy cups rather than plastic.

 For a good guideline to the materials that do and do not contain BPA, check out this article from the Environmental Working Group.