Dangers of Plastics in Milk Bottles

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a compound found in most hard and clear polycarbonate plastics, including reusable plastic milk bottles for babies. In 2008, the U.S. government's National Toxicology Program declared its concern for the possible physiological effects that leached BPA has on food. Food or drink that has been contaminated by BPA seems to mimic the effects that estrogen has on the body.

BPA and Estrogen

• According to a 2008 study by the U.S. National Toxicology Program, the BPA found in plastic milk bottles is said to have the same effects on the body as estrogen, a hormone responsible for female characteristics such as puberty, pregnancy regulation and ovulation. The main effect that BPA has on the body is interference with cell signaling systems and hormone levels. Studies have also shown that high exposure to BPS increases the risk of developing uterine fibrosis, breast cancer, decreased sperm count and prostate cancer. Babies and children are thought to be at the greatest risk of exposure.

Banning BPA

• BPA is already banned in Canada and by the European Union for its use in plastic baby bottles, and some U.S. states are looking to follow suit. Maine became one of a handful of U.S. states in 2011 to assess the toxicology of Bisphenol A in an attempt to ban the product. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency still considers the compound a chemical concern. At the time of publication, five U.S. states -- Minnesota, Connecticut, Maryland, Washington and Wisconsin -- had already banned the use of BPA in certain children's products.

Avoiding BPA Leaching

• Decrease the risk of BPA leaching into the milk in a baby's bottle by not warming or heating it up. The U.S. National Toxicology Program states that the amount of BPA that is able to leach out of a plastic bottle depends on the temperature of the drink or the bottle. The U.S. agency also mentions that the age of the bottle affects how much BPA is leached into the milk.

More Information

• Baby bottles are not the only plastic material to contain BPA; the plastic lining of cans and instant formula also contains Bisphenol A. Other items that utilize BPA in their manufacturing and makeup include sports equipment, dental fillings, medical and dental devices, sealants, eyeglass lenses, and CDs and DVDs. According to Reuters, Bisphenol A is one of the most widely manufactured chemicals with more than 2.2 million tons of the plastic compound produced every year.