ADVICE RATING |
  4.32 (Worth a try) from 11 votes (2599 Visits) |
|
|
Give your children Bisphenol A-free bottles! |
 |
by SavvyMummy  (October 2007) (rank 192nd) |
|
Dear parents,
Have you heard of Bis-phenol A (BPA)? Research have shown this chemical leaks from plastics and has undesirable side-effects. For 50 years, no study has looked into the effects on people exposed to plastic products with BPA. BPA is a chemical used in the production of
polycarbonate plastics and several types of resins. It is found in everyday products such as compact discs, DVDs, baby bottles and other food and drink packaging. It is also commonly found in cars, sports safety equipment and water pipes.
Experts convened by the U.S. Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction (CERHR), part of the National Toxicology Program, unanimously concluded that exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) presents some risks to human development and reproduction. For fetuses, pregnant women, infants, and children, the panel reported there was concern that exposure to BPA causes neural and behavioral effects. In studies of newborn animals, low doses of BPA cause structural changes in the brain that trigger learning deficits and hyperactivity.
In addition, exposure to BPA has been blamed for a variety of other problems, including cancer, diabetes, obesity and attention deficit disorder. Exposure to BPA can occur through direct contact or by exposure to food or drink that has been in contact with material containing BPA.
BPA leakage is worse when the bottles are worn-out, badly scratched and heated at high temperature such as during steam sterilisation. Many brands including popular ones such as Avent, Pigeon, Dr Brown's, Sassy and many more use this clear plastic (polycarbonate) for making baby bottles. Check the brands that you are giving your little ones in. Throw them out or send them for recycling. Some tips as follows :
- Use bottles and cups which are made of polyethylene (#1, #2, #4 recycling symbols) or polypropylene (#5 recycling symbol). Glass is safe as it does not leak this chemical but it poses another hazard (breaking) to children so I guess it has to avoided.
- Avoid using plastic products with the #7 recycling code at the bottom.
- Do not purchase clear, un-tinted plastic baby bottles and children’s training cups as they are usually made of polycarbonate.
- Discard polycarbonate baby bottles, especially those that are worn or scratched.
- Microwave food and drinks using stoneware or glassware. Transfer them into plastic containers after they are cool enough to consume.
- If you do use plastic containers or dishware, avoid harsh detergents or hot water to wash them to reduce Bis-phenol A leakage.
Check up these websites for more detailed information.
http://www.bisphenolafree.org/
http://www.healthobservatory.org/library.cfm?refid=77083
There are some brands which are Bisphenol-A free. Study the material which is used for the manufacturing of the bottles. Two safe brands are Medela and B.free.
