BPA found harmful to consumers

A possibly harmful substance known as Bisphenol A, or BPA, was found in test subjects who drank out of hard water bottles, a Harvard School of Public Health study reports. 

After one week of exposure to bottled water, the test subjects’ amounts of BPA rose by two-thirds.

Balsy Kasi, a professor of Environmental and Technical studies  at SCSU said that the concern with BPA is that it contains an endocrine disrupter that interferes with hormones in the body.

BPA is a byproduct of polycarbonate plastic, which is found in hard water bottles, the lining of aluminum cans and even some dental sealants. 

It is not found in soft water bottles. 

Balsy said that polycarbonate plastic has many other uses and is found in over 100 different items including household appliances and wind shields.  The polycarbonate can be identified by the recycling number seven on the bottom of the bottle.

According to the department of health and human services, trace amounts of BPA were found in 92.6% of the population. 

BPA is transmitted through water bottles via heating or scratches, Balsy said. 

The polycarbonate is known to flake easily and these flakes can leach their way into the water of the container. 

Heating also helps promote the leaching of the chemical into fluid which is why baby bottles containing BPA are of concern by some.

The Harvard study was one of the first to use humans as test subjects by testing the content of BPA in the urine of students. 

Balsy said that most studies do not use human subjects and use pregnant rats instead.

Balsy said that there is going to be another study, this time funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment act, that plans to give a broader picture on the impacts of BPA on humans. 

The study has not started yet, but has obtained the money and is currently seeking volunteers.

Balsy said that the best way to avoid the plastics that contain BPA is to use stainless steel and glass bottles.  He said he would recommend a precautionary stance. 

Balsy said not to worry about other items that contain BPA because they can not leach BPA into the body.

BPA could cause early onset of puberty, decrease sperm production, increase aggressiveness and interfere with estrogen production.  He said main concern is on the effects on children, whose bodies are still developing.

Minnesota has become the first state to ban the use of BPA in baby bottles, and Chicago has become the first city to ban BPA in baby bottles. 

Canada has since made it illegal to use BPA in any water bottles as of 2008, and has set aside $1.7 million for further research into BPA.

“Many manufacturers have voluntarily removed products that contain Bisphenol A including Gerber, Disney and more,” Balsy said.