Health

Tests Find Bisphenol A in Majority of Soft Drinks

by Blue Crush | March 5, 2009 at 03:27 pm

191 views | 38 Recommendations | 6 comments

A new study conducted by Health Canada has linked the highly controversial estrogen-mimicking chemical BPA to 96% of soft drinks, showing up in quantities below regulatory limits, but worrisome to some. A growing body of science suggests the chemical may have harmful effects at levels far below Health Canada's limit.

Soft drink cans are treated with BPA, a chemical used in the hardening of plastics to prevent drinks from coming into contact with metal. Last year, Health Canada banned plastic baby bottles that contain BPA, and are now frowning upon water bottles that contain it.

The study was released quietly in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry in January and the Health Canada authors downplayed the findings, saying the levels detected are well below current recommendations.

Tests by Health Canada scientists revealed the highest levels were in energy drinks, the often caffeine-loaded beverages that have become popular with teenagers seeking a buzz and athletes chasing a quick pick-me-up. But the study also found the controversial compound in a wide variety of ginger ales, diet colas, root beers and citrus-flavoured sodas.

While the levels are low, some environmentalists say the levels may very well be enough to cause harm to children, especially those who drink a lot of pop or energy drinks.

"We don't have a choice. Often, we don't know whether a container has it or not. So it's really about political leadership. We need to tell leaders to get BPA off the market; we need to get it out of food and beverage containers entirely," says Aaron Freeman of Environmental Defence.

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Jarrett Martineau

at 16:26 on March 5th, 2009

Scary stuff. I agree completely, we have to get BPA "out of food and beverage containers entirely".

harringtola

at 17:35 on March 5th, 2009

I am going to be searching for glass containers and suggest to my family and friends to do the same.

Paschen

at 17:43 on March 5th, 2009

Some countries have outlawed Plastic due to such contaminations, however the main reason for the ban was pollution over all. I wish we would ban this internationally has we banned CFC. Germany in this regard is an example to follow and I wish Japan would ban all those Plastic and metal containers as well.

Amy Judd

at 16:10 on March 5th, 2009

Scary - I don't drink energy drinks but I'm sure some of the others I do.

harringtola

at 16:16 on March 5th, 2009

Thank you for this report. I had no idea. Glass containers are not affected it appears. Do you know if that is true, Blue? (no pun intended but still cute)