Toxic BPA Is Everywhere, U of Missouri Study Cautions
On behalf of Brown & Crouppen, P.C. posted in Defective Products on Thursday, June 16, 2011
Parents have become more aware of the potential health hazards associated with Bisphenol-A, commonly known as BPA. BPA is a chemical commonly used in the manufacture of household products. It is estimated that industry produces more than 4 million tons of BPA per year, and that over 90 percent of Americans have a measurable amount of BPA in their bloodstream. Studies have linked BPA exposure to several serious health problems, including breast cancer, diabetes and heart disease.
Even more troubling is the effect BPA appears to have on children, who ingest BPA found in their sippy cups and other child-specific items. Last year, a study from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration found that BPA can cause brain damage to young children, whether they are exposed as infants or toddlers, or even before they are born, through ingestion by their mother.
BPA is so ubiquitous that we may not realize how much of it may be getting into our bodies. A recent study from the University of Missouri found that we are repeatedly exposed to the chemical through contact everyday items such as metal cans, plastic water bottles and even cash register receipts, things we never realized could be toxic.
The federal government has not banned BPA, but eight states have moved to ban BPA in baby bottles. Unfortunately, Missouri is not among that handful of states. Connecticut was the first state to prohibit BPA in cash register receipts. Many companies, reacting to increased consumer concern, have begun marketing some items as “BPA free.” Hopefully, as the full potential of the toxicity of BPA becomes known, legal action will be taken to protect adults and children.
Source: KRCG-TV, “New study shows BPA’s more dangerous than previously thought,” Meghan Lane, June 12, 2011