The Concern of BPAs - bisphenol A

This is not necessarily a new concern, but has received revived attention as ABC news had recent coverage on BPAs used in plastics such as baby bottles, sippy cups etc. http://abcnews.go.com/WN/story?id=4258865. This story prompted me to do some additional research. We are all trying to go green and be environmentally conscious and ensuring our containers and bottles are BPA free is one way to do that. BPAs are added to most plastics so that they are shatter-proof. Baby bottles, cups and pacifiers are not the only places you find BPAs. Most food containers and water bottles have them too. But, studies have linked even low BPA dosages to diabetes, obesity and even cancer. When the plastic is heated, either in the microwave or by sterilization, BPA residue is released and mixes with the food and drink then placed in the plastic container.

Yes, some say that it is hard to really know the long-term effects yet. But, I figure why take the chance, especially with developing babies and children! The alternative? Glass (which may not be convenientor practical) or some manufacturers have BPA-free bottles, sippy cups and/or pacifiers. Sassy Mam is one of the companies that does not use BPAs in their baby bottles. Yet, interestingly enough, Sassy Mam pacifiers still have BPAs in the plastic so if you sterilize them, you may be releasing BPAs that are absorbed when your baby uses the pacifier. Playtex makes pacifiers BPA free. For more information and a list of manufacturers for baby bottles, sippy cups and pacifiers, visit this site: http://zrecs.blogspot.com/.

For drink bottles, the best alternative is non-leaching, stainless steel drink bottles such as Kleen Kanteen. I thought that our Nalgene plastic bottles would be BPA free, but I looked on the bottom and there was a 7. There are 7 types of plastics and if you look on the bottom of a plastic item, you will see a number in the recycle symbol. Numbers 1, 2, 4 and 5 are safe for food and drink. Numbers 3, 6 and 7 are not, with 7 including BPA...Hmmm. It is nice to be informed and not take things for granted.

UPDATE as of 5/19/08 - Here is another link for info on BPAs. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastics Unfortunately, today plastic classification 7's include even non-BPA plastics as they are rapidly trying to add another number to include these more advanced plastics...so, it seems that the government cannot keep up with technology. The LA Times just had an article about this issue on Thursday, May 15th, Walmart will pull all BPA containing baby bottles from its shelves and Nalgene came out with a non-BPA water bottle line of products which became available at retailers in April. See zrecs.blogspot.com for a wallet sized short list of baby bottles, sippy cups, pacifiers etc. that are made sans BPA. This helps when you are shopping.