“BPA Free” Why do we see this phrase everywhere? How does BPA effect us? Why are we particularly concerned about children’s exposure to it? This week, a closer look at NY S07944, a bill aimed at prohibiting the sale of child care products containing bisphenol.
What is BPA Specifically?
Bisphenols are a group of chemical compounds. “Bisphenol” is a common name; The letter appended afterwards indicates what reactant accompanies the Bisphenol – letting us know what it does.
BPA is a colorless solid (in commercial use since 1957), soluble in organic solvents, but poorly soluble in water. BPA is used as a starting material in the synthesis of plastics. It is primarily used to make specific polycarbonates (used in engineering are strong, tough materials – some can be optically transparent) and epoxy resins, along with some polysulfones (known for their toughness and stability at high temperatures) and other niche materials.
BPA-based plastic is clear and tough. We use it in a variety of common consumer goods and food and drink packaging, think plastic bottles, water bottles, sports equipment, CDs and DVDs. BPA epoxy resins line water pipes, are coatings on the inside of many food and beverage cans and thermal paper like sales receipts are often printed on. Every year tons of BPA chemicals are produced for manufacturing, making it one of the most important and widely produced chemicals worldwide.
What is the Issue with BPA?
When we look at what this chemical means for us as humans and for our environment, we focus on two reactors – Bisphenol A (BPA) and Bisphenol S (BPS). These two chemical compounds are thought to be dangerous because they have been shown to endocrine disruptors, which are chemicals that may interfere with our body’s endocrine system. This disruption could lead to adverse developmental, reproductive, neurological and immune effects in both humans and wildlife.
Bisphenol A can leach into food from the protective internal epoxy resin coatings of canned foods and from consumer products such as polycarbonate tableware, food storage containers, water bottles and baby bottles. The degree to which BPA seeps into liquid from bottles containing the compound is thought to depend more on the temperature of the liquid or bottle, than the age of the container.
BPA has been linked to reproductive disorders (affecting egg maturation), heart disease (heart attack, hypertension), type 2 diabetes and body weight, fetal brain development, breast and prostate cancer, and asthma. If you’re interested in some more facts about BPA, check out this Bisphenol A (BPA) Factsheet from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
Since 2008, several governments have investigated BPA’s safety, which prompted many retailers to withdraw polycarbonate products. In 2012, the FDA ended its authorization of the use of BPA in baby bottles and infant formula packaging, based on market abandonment, not proven health safety issues. In 2017, the European Chemicals Agency concluded that BPA should be listed as a substance of very high concern due to its properties as an endocrine disruptor. The European Union and Canada banned BPA use in baby bottles.
What does this New York Bill Say?
NY S07944 works to ensure any products children under three will come in contact with are BPA free. The bill states that no person, firm, partnership, association, limited liability company or corporation can sell or offer for sale any child care product intended for use by a child three years of age or younger containing bisphenol A. It also bars products containing bisphenol AF (BPAF), bisphenol Z (BPZ), bisphenol S (BPS), bisphenol F (BPF), bisphenol AP (BPAP) and bisphenol B (BPB).
It also allows for the commissioner ttoauthorize product labeling of products that do not contain BPA. The label on such products may prominently state “Bisphenol [A] Free” [or “BPA-Free”] to inform consumers that the product does not contain the chemical.
Here are all of the current bills that have to do with bisphenols.
If you’re worried about exposure to BPA, here are some simple ways to cut it out:
- Avoid packaged foods: Eat mostly fresh, whole foods. Stay away from canned foods or foods packaged in plastic containers labeled with recycling numbers 3, 7 or the letters “PC.”
- Drink from glass bottles: Buy liquids that come in glass bottles instead of plastic bottles or cans, and use glass baby bottles instead of plastic ones.
- Stay away from BPA coated products: As much as possible, limit your contact with receipts.
- Be selective with toys: Make sure that plastic toys you buy for your child are made from BPA-free material, especially for toys your little ones are likely to chew or suck on.
- Don’t microwave plastic: Microwave and store food in glass rather than plastic.
- Buy powdered infant formula: Some recommend powders over liquids from BPA containers, as liquid is likely to absorb more BPA from the container.
I’ve noticed a big uptick in trending bills that have to do with plastic and banning products that may adversely impact the environment lately. It is interesting to see how states are incrementally starting to control issues like this. What do you think about it?
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