Are Our Plastic Baby Bottles Safe?

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a hormone-disrupting chemical considered to be potentially harmful to human health and the environment. BPA is most commonly used as the building block of polycarbonate plastic for products such as baby bottles and water bottles, epoxy resins (coatings that line food containers) and white dental sealants. Through animal studies, scientists have linked very low doses of BPA exposure to cancers, impaired immune function, early onset of puberty, obesity, diabetes and hyperactivity amongst other problems.

Currently, many baby bottles in the market are made of polycarbonate. It is well established that BPA leaches from the plastic to the feed of the baby when the bottles are heated, especially if they are scratched or worn. Children, especially unborn and newborn babies are at the greatest risk from such chemicals because an imbalance of hormones can have pronounced effects during their critical stage of development. Unfortunately, many problems do not reveal themselves until much later in life. The U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention found BPA in the urine of over 95% of people they tested. Alarmingly, the median level of BPA in humans was higher than the level that causes adverse effects in animal studies. The WWF (World Wildlife Fund) in August 2003 actually went as far as recommending mothers not to use polycarbonate bottles at all and since 2005, legislation to ban these products has been proposed in the US states of California, Maryland and Minnesota. Most recent would be a billion dollar class action lawsuit filed against five leading manufacturers of baby bottles in Los Angeles on March 12, 2007.

As a precaution, to reduce the risk of exposing your baby to this harmful chemical, you may consider the following:

1. Use baby bottles and spill-proof cups which are made of glass, polyethylene (#1, #2, #4 recycling symbols) or polypropylene (#5 recycling symbol).
2. Avoid using plastic products with the #7 recycling code at the bottom.
3. Do not purchase clear, un-tinted plastic baby bottles and children’s training cups as they are usually made of polycarbonate.
4. Discard polycarbonate baby bottles, especially those that are worn or scratched.
5. Reheat food and drinks outside of the polycarbonate containers. Transfer them into the container after they are cool enough to consume.
6. Use glass to heat food or liquid in the microwave.
7. If you do use plastic bottles, containers, or dishware, avoid harsh detergents or hot water when washing them to reduce exposure.

Although no studies have been conducted to prove that Bisphenol-A has adverse effects on human beings, why take the risk with your baby’s health?

More information can be found at www.checnet.org, www.bisphenolafree.org and www.environmentcalifornia.org. 

<< Back