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Bisphenol A is more common in the environment than original thought
In many countries plastic baby bottles, and other containers made using BPA have been banned or market forces have removed these products from shelves. However, that has not yet occurred in the United States. Some have raised concerns that manufacturers in other countries with large inventories of bottles may dump their products in the United States. But public opinion could quickly change that opportunity.
The issue also seems to be related to a broader debate involving policy as set in the United States, Canada, and several other countries. Canada has taken steps to ban polycarbonate infant bottles, which is the most common form of a baby bottle, however, the entire issue of public health standards for endocrine-disrupting chemicals needs to be re-examined.
On 7 May, the Collaborative on Health and the Environment convened a meeting, titled "Sick Plastic, Sick People? The Science and Policy of Bisphenol A," where several scientists and policy makers continued with discussions on Bisphenol A. Background information, an audio (MP3 file) of the meeting, and a blog with questions and comments are available.
The recent firestorm of controversy over the safety of BPA, a plastics hardener used in many products, including baby bottles and dental sealant, has prompted critical examination of the process by which chemicals are deemed safe for human use. In many ways, the BPA debate is emblematic of a larger struggle over whether a precautionary or a proof-of-harm approach to chemical regulatory policy will prevail in the United States and abroad. This call featured scientists, advocates and policy makers who have been on the front lines of this important and fascinating issue.
Recent articles in NowPublic include:
Bisphenol A also lurks in teeth
Plastics with bishpenol A shelved
Health Canada: Bisphenol A is Dangerous
Growing Concern about BPA in Baby Bottles
Glass baby bottles make a comeback
– EnvironmentalHealthToday
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Xu, X., Wang, Y., & Li, X. (2008). Sorption behavior of bisphenol A on marine sediments. Journal of Environmental Science & Health, Part A: Toxic/Hazardous Substances & Environmental Engineering, 43(3), 239-246.
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EnvironmentalHealthToday
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (4)
at 17:42 on May 12th, 2008
EnvironmentalHealthToday, thanks for this post and for linking to other NowPublic coverage on the issue. Good stuff.
at 05:41 on May 13th, 2008
Taking small steps to avoid BPA is easy at TheSoftLanding.com.
thesoftlanding has contributed a photo to this story.
at 16:08 on May 13th, 2008
The BPA-free Titan water bottle is available for pre-orders on www.titanwaterbottle.com.
The Titan has the following patent pending features:
Built-in carabiner clip
1 handed, 1 motion operation
Spill-proof 'chuggability'
Standard sized 63mm neck.
beefreed has contributed a photo to this story.
at 16:11 on May 13th, 2008
Great story!
Links to BPA-related articles:
http://hubpages.com/hub/Bisphenol-A-in-Plastic-Bottles-Play-It-Safe-with-Alternatives
http://www.squidoo.com/bisphenol-A
Can't be too careful!