The Advantages & Dangers of Using Plastic Bottles Containing Bisphenol A

Bisphenol A or BPA is an organic chemical that is used throughout the plastics industry as an essential part of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resin. According to The European Information Centre on Bisphenol A, the potential risks of BPA have resulted in the banning of its use in plastic baby bottles and infant formula containers in Canada and prompted both the European Food Safety Authority and U.S. government to offer guidelines on the safe use of infant containers containing BPA.

Bisphenol A

• According to the Bisphenol A Global Industry Group, BPA has been used commercially throughout the plastics industry since 1957 in the U.S. and 1958 in Europe, in the manufacture of hard plastic containers such as baby bottles and reusable cups, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Dangers surrounding the chemical BPA have been shown in laboratory testing on animals infected with low doses of BPA but have yet to be proven in humans. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention studies have found 95 percent of people tested for BPA showed trace levels in urine samples higher than those that caused disease in animal testing.

Advantages

• The European Information Center on Bisphenol A reports plastics manufactured using BPA have increased durability levels and increased versatility in the manufacturing process of plastic products. BPA increases heat resistance in products while also reducing breakability. BPA containing products also benefit from the fact the chemical is transparent. The European Information Center on Bishphenol A reported that in June and July 2008 a number of government groups declared BPA products safe for human use, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Food Safety Authority.

Dangers

• The apparent dangers associated with BPA have yet to be proved in humans, but laboratory testing by groups such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have shown medical conditions to be aggravated and begun in animals infected with low levels of BPA. Illnesses such as cancers, impaired immune system function, early onset of puberty, obesity, diabetes and hyperactivity have been linked with BPA consumption at trace or low levels, according to Environment California and the Chemicals Health Monitor. These dangers are brought on by the consumption of BPA through the use of products containing the chemical, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services reports everyday wear and tear such as washing in harsh detergents, heating and scratching breaks down the stable surface of the product. After this stable outer layer has broken down BPA can come into contact with food and drinks and be transferred to the body through consumption.