Baby Health: Bottles Made with BPA

Early this morning I watched a very information segment on the controversy that stirring amongst many parents of babies. I must admit, like many of us, I never even new of the Controversy surrounding the Safety of BPA, Bisphenol A, a chemical found in many plastics, including Baby bottles.

It seems as if many parents have been wondering if they need to be concerned about the type of bottles they are giving their children. There are many sides and opinions to this matter. None of which is right or wrong.

Speaking personally, I am not worried only because we use the Platex Drop-ins with the great drop in plastic liners.

The information Below is from Dr. Lisa Thebner who is a pediatrician and a local New York Medical Corespondent on WNBC.

What is Bisphenol A?

Bisphenol A, abbreviated as BPA, is a widely used, petroleum-based chemical which has been a part of many plastic products since the 1950s, such as infant bottles, food and drink packaging, and personal hygiene products. It is used to make transparent, rigid plastics.

The main question is the risk of exposure of BPA through food. BPA in plastics and packaging can leech out and get ingested, especially when the plastic breaks down, as in repeated washings or heating of bottles. It is estimated that we have some low level of BPA exposure and ingestion every day. The issue is whether this is of any significance to human health.

The question is whether the BPA ingestion from baby bottles creates a level that is unsafe for them in regards to their weight and total body mass.

What have the studies shown about the health effects of BPA?

Interestingly enough, the results have been contradictory. This is what makes the issue so controversial.

The studies that have demonstrated adverse health effects have been completed using high doses of BPA.

Concern arose as a result of studies that demonstrate high doses of BPA to be a ‘hormone disruptor’, and interacting with the hormonal systems in the body. BPA has been studied in animals for potential links to neural and developmental, hormonal effects.

But what are the potential effects of low dose BPA in humans?

The conclusions vary.
The European Union’s Food Safety Authority has reversed its previous conclusion, now stating that under a newer review of the scientific literature, the exposure risk is quite minimal and not a threat to human health. They state that a child would need to ingest four times the daily amount of BPA to get to the minimal level of safety.

On the other hand, the National Institute of Health convened the National Toxicology Program (NTP) Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction. It convened a public meeting of 12 independent scientists to review and assess the studies and its potential effects on humans. They met last month and had this in part to say after a review of the literature:

For pregnant women and fetuses:

The Expert Panel expressed some concern that exposure to Bisphenol A in utero causes neural and behavioral effects.

For infants and children:

“The Expert Panel expressed some concern that exposure to Bisphenol A causes neural and behavioral effects.”

The expert panel did not have the same level of concern regarding BPA exposure to adults. The level of “some concern” was limited to exposure to fetuses and developing infants and young (those who are most vulnerable for a developing nervous system).

Why the difference in opinion?

Different scientists have interpreted the literature differently. Some have stated that the data obtained from mice studies show that the amount that humans would be estimated to receive is so small as to be negligible.

However, others would contend that since studies in humans are considered the “gold standard”, more studies need to be done to prove or disprove a link between BPA and adverse health effects.

What’s the bottom line?

There are no definitive answers at this point. The research has been contradictory. The recent NIH meeting summary is compelling, but the plastics company has claimed that the scientists were a biased sample. Studies may continue to reveal the safety of the potential hazards of this chemical.

For now, there are neither bans nor restrictions on the sale of products with BPA.

For those who are more risk averse with young children, there are BPA-free bottles that are sold. The options include: glass bottles (troublesome when they break, however), drop in plastic liners, or Born Free bottles (sold at Whole Foods for more money than your standard bottle).