I just have to blog about this as I hope that those who are using plastic baby bottles with BPA (bisphenol A) to feed their babies should stop it immediately. I know of the Avent brand, which my two-year old has been using, was already taken off the shelves here in Canada. It has BPA. If you are using a different brand and don’t know if it has BPA, call the manufacturer to make sure. I don’t think it is banned in the States or in other countries yet. Canada it seems is the first country to regulate and limit the use of this chemical.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a synthetic chemical compound used in a wide range of consumer products and is classed by the Government of Canada as a hormone disruptor. It is found in many everyday products including food cans, plastic water containers and baby bottles. Polycarbonate plastic food and beverage containers that contain BPA
will be labeled recycling symbol #7. However, not all recycling symbol #7 containers will be made with BPA.

The Concern on Bisphenol A (BPA)

Research has shown that hot boiling water poured on the baby bottle (a common practice, by the way) can cause BPA to leach out which can then be ingested by babies. Studies have linked low-dose BPA exposure with such effects as: permanent changes to genital tract; increase prostate weight; decline in testosterone; breast cells predisposed to cancer; prostate cells more sensitive to hormones and cancer; and hyperactivity. Some studies show that BPA mimics the hormone estrogen in the bloodstream, and is linked to health problems including breast cancer and infertility.

The government of Canada recently has announced the banning of baby bottles containing this controversial chemical. Canadian retailers acted swiftly and took off most of them out from their shelves. A draft report from Health Canada found the chemical to be potentially dangerous to infants and the environment. Laboratory studies have shown that when infants are exposed to the substance, it can lead to future behavioral and neurological problems.

Canadian Health Minister, Tony Clement said: "Although our science tells us that exposure levels to newborns and infants are below the levels that cause effects, we believe that the current safety margin needs to be higher, we have concluded that it is better to be safe than sorry." While there has been credible evidence on low-dose impacts of BPA, many countries are still hesitant to adopt more stringent regulations until new studies are conducted that reproduce the data previously found.

For more info on BPA, check out http://www.environmentaldefence.ca/toxicnation/action/bisphenolfaq.htm.

As a father of a two year old who used these bottles, I’m outraged why studies weren’t started and done way back. When was it first known that there is a potential problem with these products? Did the government acted quickly? How come other countries aren’t banning it yet? How much more research is needed and why wasn’t it started years ago?

I’ve been watching the developments on bisphenol A (BPA) when I read that a US lawsuit was filed against Playtex Products Inc. by a certain Ashley Campbell. As reported in the news, the lawsuit seeks nationwide (US) class action status