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Rachel Lincoln Sarnoff

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How to Get Away From BPA

Posted: 08/23/11 01:04 PM ET

The more I know about Bisphenol A, the more I realize what a truly sneaky little substance it is.

First I found out it was leaching into my water from plastic bottles, so I stopped buying bottled water and started filling up from the tap. Then I learned that BPA can enter the body through the coating on register receipts, so I started asking the cashier to trash them for me. And, most recently, I found out that because it coats the inside of cans -- even those that contain baby formula -- the stuff can sneak into our food, too. (So much for mom's "homemade" black bean soup.)

In fact, a 2008 study by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) indicated that 93 percent of us have detectable levels of BPA in our bodies at any given time.

Yikes!

Why should we worry? In a nutshell: BPA is an endocrine disruptor that has been linked to cancer, birth defects, brain and nervous system dysfunction, and reproductive abnormalities.

Double yikes.

But now, BPA, your days may be numbered. That's because the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced plans to test you for toxicity and environmental impact, according to UPI. This comes on the heels of a January announcement that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would examine the potential human health effects of BPA in the food supply, and last year's FDA proclamation that parents should take "reasonable steps" to reduce their infants' exposure.

That's good news, because a recent study reported in Endocrine Today linked thyroid disruption to BPA -- adding yet another negative impact to an extremely long list of BPA side effects.

The bad news is that those silver bottles we've all been filling up -- in order to avoid BPA -- may actually release up to eight times more BPA than polycarbonate plastic, according to a new study reported by ScienceDirect.

So, what's a concerned citizen to do? Check with manufacturers to make sure your bottles are made from stainless steel, rather than aluminum lined with epoxy-based resin. Wash your hands after you handle receipts. Limit your intake of canned foods, and look for cans that are "BPA-free." Then take a look at a series of recipes which doctors say can block the impact of BPA, which we collected for Healthy Child Healthy World's Eat Healthy section.

Finally, help us urge Campbell's -- one of the largest canned food corporations -- to stop using BPA in their cans. Sign our petition telling Campbell's that BPA is NOT "Mmm mmm good!"

BPA, you're in our sights. Consider yourself warned.

Find out more at HealthyChild.org!

 
 
 
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10:16 PM on 09/02/2011
Just more garbage. This matter has been resolved completely.
The matter is resolved: BPA is safe according to the latest research that did the most extensive human work every, http://www.forbes.com/sites/trevorbutterworth/2011/07/25/majestically-scientific-federal-study-on-bpa-has-stunning-findings-so-why-is-the-media-ignoring-it/

But this whole matter was resolved as safe along time ago by the Europeans (EFSA) who actually raised the allowable limit. The whole issue boils down to like for potassium, potassium injected is lethal, but potassium swallowed is safe.
03:19 PM on 08/30/2011
Thanks, Rachel, for the great article. Some very interesting research has also come out demonstrating that a significant percentage of bottled mineral water also has BPA in it. The sources of the BPA couldn't be identified but if you think about it, plastics were most likely used at some point in the bottling process, so in the end it's not too surprising. It's so hard to get away from it completely and that's pretty scary. When I give seminars on breast cancer prevention and mention BPA, it's always an eye opening experience for the audience.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Guitarsandmore
devoted father, community activist, musician, reti
11:53 PM on 08/25/2011
The Arrowhead mountain springwater web site says that their bottles smaller than 3 gallons do not contain any BPA.

http://www.arrowheadwater.com/#/assured/our_quality

I try to buy the loose, raw, vegetables and bake them myself, but who knows what they came in?
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
crom14
12:01 PM on 08/24/2011
So agree. I started trying to go BPA free a few years ago. A few hints for you..... Eden Foods uses BPA free cans for beans ( very good) also, you can soak the dried black beans and they are wonderful. I try to buy everything in glass or fresh. I do still worry about my cat..... all her food is canned.
Wake up and do the right thing America!!!!! Stop using cans with BPA.
02:56 AM on 08/24/2011
Do you fill your BPA-free water bottle with water? Of course! After all, that's why you have a water bottle. But do you realize you're most likely filling that bottle with BPA-contaminated water?

Most municipal water tanks are lined with BPA-based epoxy - the same kind of stuff that lines the food cans you're trying to avoid. The same is true for most other water tanks, too. And that epoxy leaches BPA into the water that comes out of your faucet - the water you drink, cook with, bathe in, and do your laundry in. Not only that, the epoxy eventually deteriorates and disintegrates, resulting in epoxy particulates in the water.

Think of that big water tank with the name of your city proudly displayed on it. Think of it baking in the hot summer sun. Think of that epoxy lining inside the tank. Think of all that pure water inside.

The food processing industry also uses epoxy lined tanks, meaning they use BPA-laced water to process foods (and food-like-substances) so even if their products are sold in BPA-free packaging (glass jars, plastic bags) they're still contaminated with BPA.

It's almost impossible to avoid ingesting BPA or getting it on your body these days.

Oh, and no one is doing any research on BPA in our water supplies - because the water supply industry insists our water is safe to drink.
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dongarb
Give Up The Ground and Embrace The Void
07:45 PM on 08/23/2011
The BASF corporation just invented a non-bpa thermal paper that doesn't use any phenols but an organic and biodegradable formulation. They will probably make billions off this invention, so it makes the 6 bpa manufacturers who spend millions on lawyers and lobbyists fighting anti-bpa legislation all over the world look extremely stupid.

Secondly, bpa causes pcos or Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome in women. This damages their ovaries leading to difficulty getting pregnant, serial miscarriages and infertility. It also causes the ovaries to manufacture large amounts of testosterone which changes her body shape and her outlook on life. If you see a woman with a tiny bum, no hips, broad shoulders and belly fat, then she has been poisoned by bpa. Look around you and you will see that about 50% of women have had their lives hijacked by this scandalous and widespread poisoning of the world.
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sabelmouse
i love to tumble , ask me why .
07:27 AM on 08/24/2011
BASF. that gives me goosebumps. you know the history of the company and what they are doing now ?
07:19 PM on 08/23/2011
Thank you for sharing this helpful information! It is a relief to hear that regulations and guidelines are being created to help eliminate our exposure to BPA. I would recommend using glass water bottles instead of plastic and aluminum water bottles, they are not only a healthier option but also eco-friendly. I invite any readers who are looking for safer options for themselves and their families to visit www.riveusa.com; Rivé makes designer glass water bottles that are 100% BPA free!
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mlaiuppa
Pres. Sarcasm Society. Like we need your approval.
06:26 PM on 08/23/2011
Well, I just stopped buying anything in cans.

When enough people stopped buying products with HFCS, companies reformulated.

Stop buying canned goods and companies will do the same. Of course, there's no telling what they'll substitute BPA with and if it will turn up being worse.