South San Francisco, CA December 18, 2018 Submitted by Yesenia Ramirez
BPA stands for Bisphenol A, it is a dangerous chemical that is used in many products and contain polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. BPA is in easy accessible products such as DVDs, water bottles, plastic plates and cups, paint and food can (Prins et al., 2017). In today’s society, Bisphenol A is a chemical linked to many health risks and concerns.
Despite this knowledge BPA is continuously exposed to consumers in everyday plastic products, and causes them life threatening diseases.“Further evidence has emerged showing that a chemical used widely in plastic packaging and the lining of drinks cans may be harmful to health, according to Steve Connor”. It is important to know Bisphenol A production and exposure, safety concerns and the dangers of products that contain BPA and the ways one may avoid it. It is dangerous because everyone has access to the products. Stated by the University of Missouri-Columbia (2018), BPA A is injected into the human body. Studies have shown that it acts like a human hormone once it enters the body. And it’s able to at high rise exposures BPA can damage the kidneys and liver. Products containing BPA have a negative impact proven, because studies have proven that consuming products containing BPA lead to diseases. Health concerns that are affecting many people are as the followings: disturbing normal hormone levels, brain and behavior problems, cancer, heart problems, obesity, diabetes, ADHD. Today, some ways to avoid BPA are to ensure products and food are labeled as BPA-free. Some ways we are exposed to BPA are from the food we consume and products we utilize in our everyday activity that has not been in contact with polycarbonate (Kang J.H et al., 2006). Many plastics products contain BPA, such as baby and water bottles, food containers. Some foods that contain BPA come from food that is packaged in plastic, food cans and paper plates or cups, this is how food is exposed to BPA.
If it is possible, avoid food that comes from plastic packaging and canned food and instead always purchase food that comes from a glass container. But the best option of all is to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables and whole foods instead.
If certain food needs to be reheated avoid using a microwave and utilize the stove instead. Reference by Harriet Weinstein (2012), A study that was done by the Environmental Health Perspectives discovered that bisphenol A was exposing plastic packaging. The study proved eliminating BPA A from food packaging will reduced when the families consumed their meals. Five families from San Francisco participated in this eight day food intervention study, from consuming their everyday food to fresh food and then going back to their regular diet on the last days. In the result of this, when the families consumed the fresh food, the BPA in their urine dropped more than 60%; however when the families returned back to their regular diet, their BPA level increased back to normal. Plastic packaging is one of the main exposure to BPA, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration declined a petition from the NRDC requesting that BPA be prohibit from food packaging (Weinstein, 2012). All plastics are recommended to avoid, such as the seven type of plastics known as PETE, HDPE, PVC, LDPE, PP, PS and etc. (Bee, 2009). Plastics that have been heated up is unhealthy to consume from. Chemicals in hot plastics, Bisphenol A can drain into any fluid in plastics (Dr. Geo, n.d.) to cause illnesses. A test was done on plastic bottles, to prove this is true. Sixteen bottles were exposed to various temperatures. Each bottle of BPA level were monitor cautiously for four weeks. In the result, the bottles temperature increased (Dr. Geo, n.d). Using BPA-alternatives or “BPA-free” plastic is fine. However, many BPA-free plastic contains endocrine disturbing chemicals so it’s important for consumers to be caution using BPA at their own risk, because the government has not regulated BPA risks to protect public health (Facts About BP, n.d.).
In general people are being exposed to BPA and at risk of developing an illness in the future. For example, BPA is one of the causes of breast and prostate cancer. Also, many people are at risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and thyroid or brain dysfunction. BPA was found in urine and blood samples in humans who were diagnosed with cancer, obesity, and diabetes with a high level of BPA (Cancer Research UK, n.d). However, a person will still contain BPA in their body even though it’s a small percentage of it which is not harmful. But if a person consumes too much than they’re at a greater risk of developing a serious illness. It is important to stay informed and be educate about BPA A.
Yesenia Ramirez, a resident of South San Francisco, is a Health Education major minoring in women’s and holistic health at San Francisco State University.
References Cited
Cancer Research UK (n.d). Do plastic bottles or food containers cause cancer?
Retrievedfromhttps://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/causes-of-cancer/cancer-controversies/plastic-bottles-and-food-containers
Dr. Geo (n.d.). Plastic Water Bottles exposed to Heat can be Toxic
Retrieved from http://drgeo.com/plastic-water-bottles-exposed-to-heat-can-be-toxic/
Facts About BPA (n.d.). BPA Regulation and Labeling
Retrievedfrom https://www.factsaboutbpa.org/myth-fact-category/bpa-regulation-labeling
Harriet Weinstein (2012). Chemicals from plastic in our food supply pose real health concerns
Retrieved from https://www.emagazine.com/food-packaging/
Kang J. H., Kondo F., Katayama Y. (2006). Toxicology, 226 (2-3) , pp. 79-89. Human exposure to bisphenol A
Retrieve from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0300483X06004057#!
Steve Connor (2013). Study shows dangers of BPA chemicals used in plastic packaging
Retreivedfromhttps://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/study-shows-dangers-of-bpa-chemical-used-in-plastic-packaging-8633551.html
University of Missouri-Columbia. (2018, September 14). BPA exposure in US-approved levels may alter insulin response in non-diabetic adults. ScienceDaily.
Retrieved from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/09/180914100354.htm
Prins, G. S., Ye, S.-H., Birch, L., Zhang, X., Cheong, A., Lin, H., … van Breemen, R. B. (2017). Prostate Cancer Risk and DNA Methylation Signatures in Aging Rats following Developmental BPA Exposure: A Dose–Response Analysis. Environmental Health Perspectives, 125(7), 077007.
Retrieved from http://doi.org/10.1289/EHP10