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Consumer Reports Comes Down Firmly on the Side of Banning BPA

by Angela November 3rd, 2009 - No Comments »

cans

Consumer Reports has just released a study today which comes down firmly on the side of banning the preservative bisphenol A. In their testing, they noted that the highest levels were found in cans of green beans and soups. Canned Del Monte Fresh Cut Green Beans Blue Lake had the highest amount of BPA for a single sample in their tests, with levels ranging from 35.9 parts per billion (ppb) to 191 ppb.

Levels were even found in cans labelled as “BPA free”, news of particular interest in the organic community. Eden Foods was found to contain 1 ppb in its Eden Baked Beans product. Essentia will continue to watch the developments and reactions to this very exciting story.

For more information on Consumer Reports BPA study, see the Reuters article which contains the bulk of the original press release. There is also an article in the December 2009 edition of Consumer Reports if you want to buy it to read.

Consumer Reports Media Relations sent us the following links for you to look through related to the study as well:

Consumer Reports’ December 2009 BPA Magazine article

Data Table
Consumer Reports’ Test of Bisphenol-A (BPA) in Canned/Packaged Foods, December 2009

CU’s BPA Letter to FDA Commissioner Hamburg

Continue to watch this space for reactions and discussions of this important issue.

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Plastic Decomposing In Oceans Has Worse Effects Than Scientists Previously Thought

by Angela August 21st, 2009 - No Comments »

A Japan-based team, led by researcher Katsuhiko Saido, a chemist with the College of Pharmacy at Nihon University in Japan, released findings of its study of the effects of plastics in the oceans this week at a meeting of the American Chemical Society in Washington, D.C.

The study is the first to definitively prove that plastics are leaching chemicals such as Bisphenol A into the oceans, endangering aquatic life and overall environmental health. The team is pushing for plastic to be considered as a source of chemical pollutants in the ocean.

All water samples taken from various sites around the world showed a presence of polystyrene, the primary component in Styrofoam, plastic cutlery, and DVD cases. The team showed that polystyrene begins to degrade at 30 degrees Celsius. Polystyrene is heavier than water, which ensures that the chemicals resulting from its decomposition are present throughout the depths of the ocean and not just at the surface.

More on the team’s findings on the breakdown of plastics in our oceans at National Geographic.

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The Disappearing Male – CBC Documentary on Chemicals and Declining Male Fertility and Birth Rate

by Angela June 12th, 2009 - No Comments »

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7530701744597358451

This documentary brings up a number of interesting facts about the effects of chemicals, specifically phthalates and Bisphenol A on male reproductive systems and the declining male birth rate.  With the declining male birth rates and the rise of male infertility, we are experiencing the most rapid evolution our species has seen. Here are a few of the points that the documentary makes on each.

Phthalates (flail-ates)

  • phthalates & BPA are proven endocrine disruptors
  • phthalates used to make soft toys for children, meant to be chewed on
  • 3/4 of all cosmetics, skin creams, hair conditioners contain them
  • marketed as a clean product, difficult to think of it as dirty
  • dehp is a phthalates found in pvc vinyl. proven endocrine disrupter
  • pvc vinyl is used to make IV tubing, catheters, bloodbags
  • many studies have proven that this leaches into the bodies of infants/children, may receive 200 times the acceptable level over however long they are hospitalized for. May have adverse affect on reproductive tract
  • some hospitals are replacing pvc vinyl to reduce these effects.

Bisphenol A (BPA)

  • bisphenol a is used in polycarbonate – used from baby bottles to dvd’s.
  • in 1940’s found it acted as estrogen in lab animals, then larger discovery made as a can liner and other commercial applications.
  • Estrogen-mimicing effects are now coming back to haunt us

A commentator in the documentary states that a mom or a dad “shouldn’t have to be a chemical engineer”, and it is unfair to try to make a parent play that role. In addition, almost all studies that show that bpa & phthalates have no effect were studies funded by the chemical industry.

The chemical lobby is one of the most powerful in the world; since 1976 the US has banned just five chemicals.  You’ll also see a surprising statement from the FDA before a congressional committee that they don’t solicit independent, third-party studies.

In Canada we have banned BPA in baby bottles, Health Canada may be giving better information to our government than complementary US agencies are giving to theirs.

Of 80,000 chemicals in use, 85% of them have never been tested for impacts on human body.

These are just a few of the key points that the documentary brings up. If the documentary isn’t playing above, click here.

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Chicago Bans Bisphenol A In Children’s Products

by Angela May 24th, 2009 - No Comments »

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Chicago has become the first US city to ban the use of Bisphenol A in products made for children under three years of age, including sippy cups and bottles. As summer months approach, BPA poses more of a danger as it tends to leach into bottles when the plastic containing it is heated. Foods should never be microwaved in plastic containers as this produces the same result.

Minnesota has also banned the use of BPA in products for children.

You can read more about the dangers of BPA over at the Center for Health, Environment and Justice.

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Food, Inc. Movie Will Turn Up the Heat on Agri-Business

by Angela May 14th, 2009 - No Comments »

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A new blockbuster is coming out this summer, only this one doesn’t have any special effects or big Hollywood names.  It does have Jeff Skoll of Ebay fame backing it financially, and acclaimed director Richard Donner.  They tackle the question of how our food is made, how it is being made dangerously, and how talking about the whole process is being censored by business and government.  This movie threatens to blow the food industry wide open the same way that Sicko blew the lid on health care.  Very exciting!  It opens on June 12 in major US cities, and you can sign up on their website for e-mail news on the film, including presumably where it will be playing near you.

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Compostable Containers

by Angela January 7th, 2009 - No Comments »

Is one of your resolutions to bring your lunch?  You can do so all year with compostable containers that biodegrade when you throw them out.  This is a great solution for anyone who is unhappy with the prospect of styrene containers leaching harmful chemicals into their food.  PLA compostable containers are made from corn, just like the disposable cutlery we wrote about late last year.  They also compost in commercial composting facilities in 45-60 days.

To Buy

US
The Green Home
http://www.greenhome.com/products/kitchen/compostable_goods/113593/

Ellie’s Eco Home Store
http://www.ecoproducts.com/Business/food_services/food_containers/fs_containers_corn_food_pack.htm

Here’s a great video on Bisphenol A, a chemical present in many food containers:

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FDA on Bisphenol A: Oooops…

by Angela November 5th, 2008 - No Comments »

Baby Being Fed By BottleWhile people have been grumbling about the ineffectual nature and corporate interests of the FDA for decades, nothing could have pushed their lack of interest in the health of the American public to the forefront like their latest defense of BPA. Recently they discredited their own findings and are finally starting to come around to the fact that BPA may actually be dangerous.

In case you’ve been living under a rock, BPA, or Bisphenol A, is used widely as a preserving agent in canned foods. It also leeches out of plastic commonly used in food storage containers and bottles.  Health Canada banned Bisphenol A from baby bottles earlier this year due to findings that it is a proven endocrine disruptor and can cause developmental delays in infants.   Until the FDA comes around to what consumers already know, it is up to you to police your own BPA consumption.

Tips to reduce BPA:
– Avoid plastics and other containers with #7 and #3 in the recycling symbol.
– Never microwave food in #7 or #3 containers.  Place the food on a plate and microwave it.
– Reduce or eliminate use of canned foods.
– Replace your plastic exercise water bottle with glass or steel.
– Replace baby bottles with glass or BPA-free baby bottles.

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Bisphenol A Linked to Disease in Adults

by Angela October 11th, 2008 - No Comments »

The debate over Bisphenol A can finally be laid to rest – a joint study between four universities has effectively linked Bisphenol A to heart disease and diabetes in adults.  The research paper marks the first time that evidence has been presented effectively in the case against Bisphenol A.
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Opponents of bottled water have maintained that this chemical is harmful to adults and children.  Some states have banned Bisphenol A from baby bottles because its effects on infants have been proven.  Professor David Meltzer, leader of the team, commented that:  “Our study has revealed, for the first time, an association between raised BPA loads and two common diseases in adults. At the moment we can’t be absolutely sure that BPA is the direct cause of the extra cases of heart disease and diabetes: if it is, some cases of these serious conditions could be prevented by reducing BPA exposure. This is therefore an exciting finding, but it is also just the first step in understanding the role of BPA.”

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