Monday, September 28, 2009

Bisphenol A: A Toxic But "Safe" Chemical?

Two years ago, a warning regarding the toxicity of bisphenol A, or BPA was endorsed by scores of scientists, including four members of federal health agencies. According to an article by the Los Angeles Times, this document was published online by the scientific journal Reproductive Toxicology. Approximately 700 studies were reviewed, and the findings were dire: Almost everyone is exposed to levels of this chemical over and above those found to cause harm to lab animals. As is usually the case with toxic chemicals, infants and fetuses are most at risk.

At this point in time (August 2007), no restrictions on the use of BPA were in place anywhere in the world. The publication of this consensus of opinion, however, seemed to be sparking an effort in the United States to consider regulating the chemical, something that the industry wanted to avoid at all costs.

This was certainly not the first time I had heard of the deleterious effects of bisphenol A. Over 20 years ago, I started having disruptions in my monthly cycle. I went to my doctor, who had no answers but wasn't overly concerned. Luckily, I read an article in a magazine not long after about an estrogen-mimicking chemical called BPA and the effects it had on women's menstrual cycles. We immediately stopped buying bottled water in the hard plastic containers, switching to opaque gallon jugs. The problem resolved itself right away! Obviously, the effects of BPA have been known for many years.

This past spring, I read another article about bisphenol A, this time in regards to industry's plan to brainwash the public into thinking that BPA is safe. This chemical is big business, apparently, and industry hacks would rather spread lies saying it is not toxic than bother trying to find alternatives.

How are they getting away with this? Tune in tomorrow!


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