The Scoop on BPA

You have probably heard about BPA, but there is a good chance that you don't really know what it is or what it does. Today I will give a run-down on the basics of BPA so that you and your family can be more informed.
BPA, aka Bisphenol A, is a chemical that is used to harden plastic and it seems to be found everywhere; sippy cups, coffee mugs, baby bottles, linings for the inside of food cans (including infant formula), and more. 2.3 billion pounds of this stuff are manufactured each year in the US alone!! Unfortunately, like almost everything else we read about lately, BPA has been linked to several health problems.
It was discovered in 1936 that BPA mimics estrogen, and binds to the same receptors as female hormones. This allows BPA to disrupt the endocrine system and interfere with cell functioning. This chemical has also been linked with obesity, diabetes, liver problems, cancer, heart disease and is a possible neurotoxin. The amounts of BPA that leach from baby bottles during normal use have caused harm to animals during laboratory tests. Yet it is still allowed to be used in plasctis that we give to our developing children. Yikes.
BPA ingestion can cause problems at very low levels, only 2-5 ppb (parts per billion), and seems to be a normal part of the everyday American diet. Yuck. Over 93% of participants in a scientific study were found to have BPA in their urine. BPA breaks down quickly within the body; however, the fact that so many of the sampled individuals had BPA in their system means that most of us are exposed to it on a frequent basis. It is likely that the majority of the BPA we are ingesting is coming from polluted water; plastics that are improperly disposed of into lakes and rivers can leach into the water and pollute drinking water sources as well as aquatic life. Plastics that are put into landfills de not decompose which means that if the landfill's seal ever breaks, BPA (and plenty of other nasty stuff) can easily leach into the groundwater and pollute underground water sources.
The chemical companies who make BPA and products containing BPA would like us to believe that these products are safe and argue that until is it proved (without a doubt) that BPA exposure results in harmful health effects, it should be continued to be used. I, however, as most other parents and sane individuals I know, would argue that if something has been linked to health problems, it should be pulled off the shelves and not allowed back on until it has been proved (without a doubt) to be 100% safe. In the meantime, I have made the choice to not use bottles, sippy cups, or food storage containers that contain BPA, particularly when I am giving it to my toddler. Many companies are switching to BPA-free alternatives and BPA-bans are on the rise. Until our government protects all of our health and bans the manufacturing of BPA, protect yourself and your family and chose safer alternatives.
For a good review on the history of BPA, check out:
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1914410
So, how can you reduce you and your family's intake of BPA?
*First off, try and replace beverage and food containers that contain BPA with ones that do not contain BPA. Born-Free makes a wonderful BPA-free bottle (that is what we use at my home) as does Green-to-Grow. As BPA is such a hot topic lately, there are likely more brands on the market already, as well as more on the way. Glass bottles are another great option, although maybe not as great for the toddler times. There are plenty of options for BPA-free sippy cups, food storage containers, baby spoons, bowls, etc. out there. Munchkin is a brand that is available at most major grocery stores that is now BPA-free.
* Purchase a stainless steel coffee mug and stainless steel water bottles for the family. They will keep your beverages cold/hot, are durable, and won't leach harmful chemicals into your beverages! Sigg is my favorite stainless steel water bottle. They make a variety of sizes and designs, and even have ones made specifically for little ones. They are a little bit pricey, but worth every penny.
* Do not put hot food or beverages in containers that contain BPA and do not put plastics with BPA in the microwave or in the dishwasher. The heat can more easily leach the chemical from the plastic and into your food (hot liquids and foods can cause BPA to leach out 55 times faster than unheated foods and beverages).
* Focus on eating fresher! Fresh foods don't come in cans and don't come into contact with BPA. When fresh is not an option, favor dried or frozen over canned. Side note: Eden organic foods come in BPA-free cans (the only manufactured in the US)!