Learning More About Bisphenol A

Learning More About Bisphenol A.

Endocrine Society | Founded in 1916, The Endocrine Society is the world's oldest, largest, and most active organization devoted to research on hormones and the clinical practice of endocrinology. Today, The Endocrine Society's membership consists of over 15,000 scientists, physicians, educators, nurses and students in more than 80 countries. Together, these members represent all basic, applied, and clinical interests in endocrinology. The Endocrine Society is based in Chevy Chase, Md. To learn more about the Society, and the field of endocrinology.

BPA is a known endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC). EDCs are substances in the environment that interfere with hormone action resulting in adverse developmental, reproductive, neurological and immune effects in both humans and wildlife. Many of these chemicals are designed, produced and marketed largely for specific industrial purposes, but they are also found in some natural foods and may become further concentrated as foods are processed.

“The Society supports the FDA's continuing efforts to evaluate the safety of BPA, but it remains concerned that policy on BPA and other endocrine disrupting chemicals is ignoring the entirety of available scientific data,” said Janet E. Hall, MD, president of The Endocrine Society.

Many chemicals -- Bisphenol A, phthalates, pesticides and various other common chemicals -- in various combinations represent a "significant concern for public health" and should be avoided.

As more persons involved in the medical community conclude that, "First Do No Harm" must be the watchword; and the determination that more research must be presented to show the safety for BPA and products containing this substance to prevent the human population from becoming guinea pigs in a massive long term experiment.

Decades down the line, when the multiplicity of chemicals that act as endocrine disruptors eat away at normal functioning, accumulate in the body and interact we will know for sure that the harm they commit to the reproductive organs, metabolism and life cycle. The information we don't know about fetal exposure in the womb to these chemicals have not thoroughly be studied.

All organizations and individuals absolutely must lobby representatives who make decisions about permitting and/or banning these detrimental substances in our environment. We must quote the researchers who express concern, the clinicians who see rising dysfunction in patients and data from reports and journals detailing the effects, as well as, the fact that countries around the world have already banned risky chemicals.

Some Aluminum water bottles contain Bisphenol A
National Toxicology Program
Bisphenol A found in hard plastics, baby bottles, the lining of food and beverage cans, the white coating on shiny receipts and in the bodies of about 9 in 10 U.S. residents may also be implicated in heart disease.
- Even the U.S. Food and Drug Administration states, "recent studies provide reason for some concern about the potential effects of BPA on the brain, behavior, and prostate gland of fetuses, infants and children."
- NRDC says FDA continues to favor industry’s interests over public health and due to delays sued the Agency to get a response.
  - FDA Bans Bisphenol A from baby bottles and sippy cups July 17, 2012
- NRDC has asked FDA to ban all uses of BPA as a food additive including baby bottles and sippy cups and infant formula, canned beverages and canned foods, etc.
- FDA April 2, 2012 FDA would not ban the use of bisphenol A (BPA) in food packaging, but rather that it would continue to study the health effects of the chemical.
  - Take Action Here

How will the major industries using BPA reinvent their image? You can be sure they will spin the image and information available to their profitable interests, rather than the health and safety of mankind or the environment. Don't forget that many studies were not independently conducted, but were done under the auspices and funding of the very same industries that produce these materials and foods.

Local Country and State Action

Concerned citizens have found the best way to get action via state regulations in order to turn this flotilla around.

Connecticut first state to ban Bisphenol A
California bans Bisphenol A
Minnesota bans Bisphenol A
Wisconsin bans Bisphenol A
Suffolk County, N.Y. bans Bisphenol A
Multnoma County, Oregon bans Bisphenol A
Maryland bans Bisphenol A

Several other states, and Congress, are considering bans on the use of Bisphenol A in children's products, in order to protect children at their most vulnerable from a chemical that mimics the human hormone estrogen. The Food and Drug Administration has not backed off its endorsement of the chemical as safe, despite independent research that suggests the chemical mimics hormones and could be linked to serious health problems, from diabetes to prostate cancer.

Tests of 10 common packaged food products conducted for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel last year found that toxic levels of BPA leached from every one when heated as instructed in a microwave or an oven – even those marked as “microwave safe.” So it’s a good idea to just remove canned goods from the can and place them in a safe dish for heating.