danger

BPA in Dental Plastic: Are the Fillings in your Teeth Dangerous?

susan — Fri, 30 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Just when many of us are getting those old mercury fillings in our teeth replaced with the new plastic fillers we've been told are safer, we find that newer may not be better. BPA (bisphenol A) lurks not only in plastic water bottles, and the lining of canned foods, drinks and baby formula containers, it also can be found in some of the plastics dentists are now using.on our teeth. Studies have found BPA in the saliva of patients after they receive a filling or sealant treatment. This chemical, a hormone disruptor that can mimic estrogen and has been linked to early puberty in girls, breast and prostate cancer and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, may also be present in the plastic used to make night guards for those who grind their teeth.

But whether the levels of BPA that leach out of the plastic pose any significant health risk is harder to answer.

Both the American Dental Association and Health Canada say "Don’t worry." They have issued statements saying that the levels of BPA in dental plastics are not hazardous to health.

In Canada, the federal government has just banned the use of BPA in plastic baby bottles. But so far they have not banned its use in dental plastics, even though the Canadian Dental Association has advised members to start searching for BPA-free dental materials.

Pregnant Women and Babies Are at the Highest Risk

The one thing everyone agrees upon is that fetuses and infants are at the highest risk from BPA exposure. So if you are pregnant, it is wise to consult your dentist and physician about whether to go ahead with dental procedures that involve these plastics.

But even more important, if you can’t do without that night guard or need to take care of cavities while pregnant, at least make sure you minimize any additional exposure to BPA. The ADA says the BPA in other products poses greater hazards than dental products.

Avoid re-using water bottles, avoid Nalgene bottles (hard, colorful plastic bottles marked No. 7 on the bottom) and canned foods that have white plastic liners – especially canned pastas and soups. And use BPA-free products (especially infant formula and baby bottles and sippy cups) for your baby as well.

For more on how to avoid the dangers of BPA for yourself and your family:

BPA: Plastic Products that Are BPA-Free

Your BPA questions, answered

BPA: The Dangers of Canned Foods May Be Greater Than Plastics

BPA: 5 Tips to Avoid the Dangers in Plastics

Where To Find Baby Bottles Without BPA -- and Formula and Pacifiers, Too

Where to Find BPA-Free Baby Bottles and Sippy Cups

BPA: The Dangers of Canned Foods May Be Greater Than Plastics

susan — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 01:00:00 -0400

The headlines have focused on the dangers of BPA (bisphenol-A, an endocrine-disrupting chemical) in plastics. But it turns out that the BPA in the plastic lining of canned foods may pose even greater dangers.

Many canned foods are lined with a plastic coating (it looks like a solid lining) made from BPA, which can leach into the food. The longer a can sits on your shelf, the more BPA is likely to leach out.

The highest levels of BPA were found in canned pasta and soups, according to a report last year by the Environmental Working Group, . a nonprofit research group based in Washington, D.C.

“Independent laboratory tests found a toxic food-can lining ingredient associated with birth defects of the male and female reproductive systems in over half of 97 cans of name-brand fruit, vegetables, soda, and other commonly eaten canned goods,” according to the EWG’s report.

Which specific canned foods were the most dangerous?

Chicken soup, infant formula, and ravioli came out highest in risk, according to the EWG. “Just one to three servings of foods with these concentrations could expose a woman or child to BPA at levels that caused serious adverse effects in animal tests,” according to the report.

About 17% of the average American diet consists of canned foods, according to Food and Drug Adminstration (FDA) estimates. EWG reports that the last time the FDA examined BPA exposures from food was in 1996 -- but they failed to set a safety standard.

What Can You DO?

· Cut down on canned foods -- eat fresh foods instead. Save the canned stuff for emergencies.

· Choose canned foods from makers who don't use BPA, such as Eden Foods (www.edenfoods.com), which sells certified organic canned beans and other foods.

· Choose soups in cardboard cartons (such as those by Tetra Pak and SIG Combibloc) which are made of safer layers of aluminum and polyethylene (#2) and are also recyclable. Or buy foods packaged in glass jars.

Background on BPA: Why Worry?

BPA, or bisphenol-A, has been linked to various cancers (breast and prostate cancer), early onset puberty, Type II diabetes and neurobehavioral changes in offspring exposed in the womb, according to the EWG. This chemical, used in many plastics, such as polycarbonate plastic (hard, colored water bottles and water coolers) and the lining of most food and beverage cans, leaches into foods. Even more of the chemical is released when it's heated. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control found BPA in the bodies of 93 percent of the people they tested.

For more information on BPA, check out these stories:

BPA in Dental Plastic: Are the Fillings in your Teeth Dangerous?

BPA: 5 Tips to Avoid the Dangers in Plastics

Where to Find Baby Bottles Without BPA -- and Formula and Pacifiers, Too

Where to Find BPA-Free Baby Bottles and Sippy Cups

BPA: Plastic Products That Are BPA-Free

Your BPA Questions Answered

Where to Find BPA-Free Baby Bottles and Sippy Cups

scleaver — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 01:13:05 -0400

There's bad news and good news on BPA in plastic baby products, like bottles and sippy cups.

The bad news: BPA, bisphenol-A, a chemical found in plastics -- including baby bottles and sippy cups -- is linked to “changes in behavior and the brain” including hyperactivity and cancer, according to an Associated Press article in The Wall Street Journal, “Companies Move to Curb Risk From Chemical BPA. BPA doesn’t stay put; instead, it leaches into liquids and foods, creating obvious concern for parents.

The good news for babies everywhere: infant companies and retailers are responding to concerns of consumers, scientists and the National Toxicology Program concerns about BPA. On Friday, April 18, Playtex Infant Care announced that they’re converting to BPA-free material by the end of the year, and Wal-Mart is converting its baby bottle selection to BPA free products by 2009.

According to Gary Cohen, Vice President and General Manager at Playtex, “while US and worldwide regulatory bodies continue to deem the ingredient safe, as a leader in infant care products, we are listening to consumer concerns and believe the right thing to do is eliminate any confusion or concern that parents may have. For this reason, we will stop using BPA in our products this year and we offer consumers a chance to immediately switch to BPA-free infant products.”

While companies are busy pulling BPA bottles and replacing them with safer versions, you’ll already find tons of BPA-free products on the shelves. When shopping, however, remember that this BPA risk extends to many plastic products, not just bottles and sippy cups, but forks, spoons, pacifiers, and more.

Here’s where to find BPA-free products online:

1. Want to stick with plastic? BPA-free bottles and sippy cups are flying off the shelves at Diapers, Etc a site that also sells BPA-free pacifiers, spoons and forks.

2. Ready to go for glass? Especially in light of recent news, glass bottles are making a comeback. Learn about glass bottle feeding at the Natural Baby Store Web site. Then, grab a safe “Siliskin” plastic covering for your baby’s glass bottle at Calamari Baby, or a cute Wee Go bottle cover at Go Baby Life.

3. Here’s a list of what Playtex products are made of and how safe each is: Playtex Materials Chart.

For more information on BPA, check out these stories:

BPA in Dental Plastic: Are the Fillings in your Teeth Dangerous?

BPA: The Dangers of Canned Food May Be Greater Than Plastics

BPA: 5 Tips to Avoid the Dangers in Plastics

Where to Find Baby Bottles Without BPA -- and Formula and Pacifiers, Too

BPA: Plastic Products That Are BPA-Free

Your BPA Questions Answered

Photo credit: from Diapers, Etc.

BPA: 5 Tips to Avoid the Dangers in Plastics

susan — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400

You’ve probably seen the news reports about the dangers of chemicals such as BPA (bisphenol-A, an endocrine-disrupting chemical) and others in plastic. Now it’s time for you to do something about it.

I know you’re trying to do the green thing by re-using your plastic water and juice bottles instead of being like 80% of the rest of the world who toss them in the garbage and don’t even recycle.

But cut it out. BPA has been linked to various cancers (breast and prostate cancer), early onset puberty, Type II diabetes and neurobehavioral changes in offspring exposed in the womb. And BPA is not the only danger lurking in your plastic containers.

Here are some simple steps you can take to stay healthy and safe. These tips are advisable for everybody – but especially for those most vulnerable to the effects of these chemicals -- infants and young children, as well as pregnant women or anyone even thinking about getting pregnant.

1. Do not re-use plastic water – or soda or juice -- bottles.

The danger here is not BPA -- these containers do not contain BPA as they are made from PET (polyethylene terephthalate), a petroleum-based material. (Turn them upside-down and look for the number #1 inside the tiny triangle.)

The primary danger is bacteria. With those small mouths, they are almost impossible to wash properly.

Danger Number 2: Once you’ve put those bottles in the dishwasher and they’ve gotten scratched and dented, this degraded bottle allows a trace metal, antimony, to leach into whatever you are drinking, according to one of the leading researchers on plastics, University of Missouri’s Frederick S. vom Saal, in a recent New York Times article.

2. Avoid hard plastic Nalgene containers, made from polycarbonates -- #7 on the bottom.

Yes, those cool, colorful, rigid transparent plastic bottles that are labeled Number 7 – or PC on the bottom -- contain BPA. This plastic is also used for hard plastic baby bottles, toddlers’ sippy cups, 5 gallon water cooler bottles, plastic silverware, and Lexan products, according to a report by The Environmental Working Group.

“Some polycarbonate water bottles are marketed as 'non-leaching' for minimizing plastic taste or odor, however there is still a possibility that trace amounts of BPA will migrate from these containers, particularly if used to heat liquids,” according to the EWG.

When possible it is best to avoid #7 plastics, especially for children's food. Plastics with the recycling labels #1, #2 , #4 and #5 on the bottom are safer choices and do not contain BPA.

3. Use stainless steel containers – there’s a sippy cup adapter for toddlers.

And make sure you pick ones that do not have a plastic liner. That plastic liner can contain – you guessed it – BPA.

Here’s a web site – KleanKanteen -- with a selection of stainless steel bottles —one even has a sippy adapter for kids – instead of those plastic sippy cups.

4. Do not microwave or heat foods in plastic containers.

That means any plastic – even if it is a safer variety. When you heat liquids or foods in a plastic container, it causes even more BPA (and possibly other chemicals) to leach out.

Don’t use plastic wrap in the microwave either. Though the American Chemistry Council reports that phthalates stopped being used in any US plastic wraps in 2006, companies aren't required to list what's in their plastic wrap. So why take chances?

Use glass containers in the microwave. And cover with a paper towel or a glass cover.

5. If you must use plastic containers, hand wash them.

For times when you can’t use glass – like when you’re out running or biking – and you must use plastic, at least make sure to wash your bottle by hand. Use a mild dishwashing soap – and do not put it in the dishwasher as this will degrade the plastic and allow more BPA (or trace metals iin the case of single-use pplastic water bottles) to leach out.

For more information on BPA, check out these stories:

BPA in Dental Plastic: Are the Fillings in your Teeth Dangerous?

BPA: The Dangers of Canned Food May Be Greater Than Plastics

Where to Find Baby Bottles Without BPA -- and Formula and Pacifiers, Too

Where to Find BPA-Free Baby Bottles and Sippy Cups

BPA: Plastic Products That Are BPA-Free

Your BPA Questions Answered