Chemicals in plastics may hinder child brain development

[Echotrail]

The National Toxicology Program, part of the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, has written a draft report and invites public comment until May 23.

The U.S. National Toxicology Program has released a draft report suggesting that an estrogen-like chemical in plastic (bisphenol A or BPA) could be harmful to the development of children’s brains and reproductive organs.
snip
Canada took steps on April 18 to ban polycarbonate infant bottles, after officially declaring BPA toxic.

The American Chemical Council, representing the plastic industry, denies on its web site, plasticsinfo.org and in news releases, that BPA plastics are harmful.

http://www.fleshandstone.net/dailyscan/plasticsharmful.html

[Echotrail]

1. It's the scientists against industry again

Another David and Goliath story.

[varkam]

2. I believe this has already been discussed here, but for the sake of repitition...

here's what the report has to say:

Can Bisphenol A Affect Human Development or Reproduction?

Possibly. Although there is no direct evidence that exposure of people to bisphenol A adversely affects reproduction or development, studies with laboratory rodents show that exposure to high dose levels of bisphenol A during pregnancy and/or lactation can reduce survival, birth weight, and growth of offspring early in life, and delay the onset of puberty in males and females. These effects were seen at the same dose levels that also produced some weight loss in pregnant animals (“dams”). The administered dose levels associated with delayed puberty (≥ 50 mg/kg bw/day), growth reductions (≥ 300 mg/kg bw/day), or survival (≥ 500 mg/kg bw/day) are far in excess of the highest estimated daily intakes of bisphenol A in children (< 0.0147 mg/kg bw/day), adults (< 0.0015 mg/kg bw/day), or workers (0.100 mg/kg bw/day) (Table 1). These “high” dose effects of bisphenol A are not considered scientifically controversial and provide clear evidence of adverse effects on development in laboratory animals.

In addition to effects on survival and growth seen at high dose levels of bisphenol A, a variety of effects related to neural and behavior alterations, precancerous lesions in the prostate and mammary glands, altered prostate gland and urinary tract development, and early onset of puberty in females have been reported in laboratory rodents exposed during development to much lower doses of bisphenol A (≥ 0.0024 mg/kg bw/day) that are more similar to human exposures. In contrast to the “high” dose developmental effects of bisphenol A, there is scientific controversy over the interpretation of the “low” dose findings. When considered together, the results of “low” dose studies of bisphenol A provide limited evidence for adverse effects on development in laboratory animals (see Figures 2a & 2b).

Recognizing the lack of data on the effects of bisphenol A in humans and despite the limitations in the evidence for “low” dose effects in laboratory animals discussed in more detail below, the possibility that bisphenol A may alter human development cannot be dismissed (see Figure 3).


IOW, it is not and cut and dry as the author at the link suggests.

[Echotrail]

3. Here's a link to the report

http://cerhr.niehs.nih.gov/chemicals/bisphenol/BPADraftBriefVF_04_14_08.pdf
People should read it and judge for themselves if they have concerns.

Interesting that those liberal Canadians this month banned the use of BPA in baby bottles. Guess they'd rather be safe than sorry!

[lonestarnot]

4. Canada, they apparently love one another there egh? How strange...

:evilgrin:

[mzmolly]

8. That's what it boils down to. Why not be safe when it comes to

our infants when we have so many alternatives?

[annm4peace]

5. I'm sending to friends and family who just had babies

thanks for this, hope those who I send it to take notice.

there are so many other toys to give.

[Echotrail]

11. It's not only toys, they're talking about bottles

although toys are popped in their mouths as often as bottles.
http://thesoftlanding.wordpress.com/2008/03/28/updated-info-on-gerber-pacifiers-safer-teethers/
Gerber makes some Nuks that are PBA-free.


It complicates things, eh?

[1776Forever]

6. This is like the lead in paint - the Chinese don't know what they are using half the time it seems

I don't exactly blame them - but I do blame the companies that go there and then don't oversea what is used to make items like this!

Thanks!

[Echotrail]

12. The FDA's mission is to ensure the safety of food and drugs

that are brought into the U.S. Unfortunately, they need millions more than the Bush admin wants to give them in order to do inspections adequately. http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2008/02/fda_inspections.html

It's just like the Consumer Product Safety commission. Last I saw on some televised hearing they were working out of one room the size of a small bedroom and were grossly understaffed.

Gee, I wonder were all the money goes?

[mzmolly]

7. FYI - BPA is also found

in dental sealants.

[PuraVidaDreamin]

9. Weary of anything chemical these days is what I am- We are trying to

drastically cut down on the use of plastics. The chemicals - and hormones found in ground water bother me too

Not sure what I'll use to save/freeze my garden veggies this year. Never had a garden as big as 100'x50' before, but I'm started that
survivalist thing. What are some more safe bets for long term storage?

Will be doing chickens soon- a couple goats and alpaca as well.
Thermal windows- wind turbine/solar on the home we will soon be constructing
(which could be straw bail)

I worry too with my camelback/ waterbottles for hiking and biking- but the lightweight feature is
hard to part with.

[Echotrail]

10. Camelback makes BPA-free containers

Lucky you. :-)

You are getting a jump on things with the garden and animals. I think that's a very wise move!