Organic Baby Blog – News & Tips on Organic Parenting

The Flipside of the BPA Concern

July 21st, 2009 by

So over the last several months many people have been following the developing story on BPA.  BPA or Bisphenol A has been a very hot button issue lately.  And it is no secret that some of the big players who have relied on BPA over the years have conspired to try and clear the dubious chemicals name.  There are many studies on both sides of the debate and the newest to come to the table is from the official Nalgene website.  Here is a caption from their site: “Agencies and researchers worldwide have studied the safety of BPA and polycarbonate for approximately 50 years; including The Environmental Protection Agency and The Food and Drug Administration in the USA, The European Commission Scientific Committee on Food, The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment and the Japan Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. Findings of studies from these agencies indicate that food and beverage containers manufactured from polycarbonate do not pose a health risk to humans. Polycarbonate is used in a wide variety of consumer products including baby bottles, water bottles, dental sealants and the lining of most metal food and beverage containers and has been for over 45 years.

Furthermore, several scientific panels including the European Union’s Scientific Committee on Food, the National Toxicology Program and the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis have concluded that the weight of scientific evidence does not support the hypothesis that low doses of BPA adversely affects human health. None of the large studies conducted have substantiated the claims made by those performing some of the smaller studies frequently cited. Health Canada and the United States’ National Toxicology Program (NTP) are completing their investigations of the scientific data compiled to date. Both identify “some concern” (NTP, 2008) for “potential health risks” (Health Canada, 2008) relative to neural and behavioral effects in early stages of development, based upon several of the animal studies reported, but have concluded the data are too uncertain at this time to draw any conclusions as to possible effects in humans at early developmental stages. Each will release separate final reports later this year.”

What a strange situation parents are in right now.  On the one hand there are scores of professionals warning us about the dangers of BPA.  And on the flip side planted square against them are scores of professionals telling us it is safe for our children.  As a father I can only tell you my opinion.  That opinion is if the world seems undecided and the issue is the safety of my family I will err on the side of caution.  It is easy to avoid products containing BPA.  You can buy BPA free baby bottles, drink from glass instead of plastic, and just be aware of the resin codes in the plastics you do use.  Sure it may be safe, but why even take the chance?

Tags: baby, baby product recall, BPA, toxins