Article: BPA-Free Plastic Containers May Be Just as Hazardous
It is not uncommon to find BPA-free bottles and containers lining the shelves in the stores. In the past 3 years, the FDA banned the sale of baby bottles containing BPA (Bisphenol A), an estrogen mimicking organic molecule found in polycarbonate plastics. Now that manufacturers have to omit this 'ingredient' from the production of these bottles, there has been a search for an equivalent replacement. This replacement is called BPS (Bisphenol S). Although having many of the same characteristics of BPA, scientists believed that BPS wouldn't have as much as a 'leaking' effect (of estrogen) as its brother, BPA. However, this was not the case given that 81 percent of Americans have detectable levels of BPA in their urine.
Research have proven that BPS may be just as harmful as BPA. Scientists around the world have performed studies testing the effects of this new substance on humans. Researchers at the University of Texas found that "BPS can disrupt a cell's normal functioning, which could potentially lead to metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity, asthma, birth defects or even cancer." This is not a small matter. Instead of these companies informing consumers of new toxic chemicals they are adding to their products, they are simply smacking on a 'BPA-FREE' tag. Now, it is up to consumers to become aware of these risks. In the future, it is vital for companies to continue to test toxicity in household goods as new ingredients and methods are used to make these items.
Good job, very informative! I did not know that baby bottles had a such harsh chemical to the point where Americans had BPA in their urine. It is a scary thought that an infant could be possibly sick because of this contamination.
ReplyDeleteDid not know this. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThis is interesting. It also creeps me out, especially the part where manufactures are labeling their products incorrectly. It makes me wonder how many other such products are out there and what kind of risks consumers of these products exposed to.
ReplyDeleteThis was very well done and it is good to see some talking about BPA because I always wonder what it was.
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