Recent scientific studies indicate that bisphenol A, or BPA, a chemical used in plastic baby bottles and packaging for food and beverages, may be linked to possible risks for heart disease and diabetes. So far the Food and Drug Administration does not agree that BPA is a threat in the food containers and medical devices which it regulates. But two scientists believe such a damaging link exists. As yet, studies on BPA appear to be suggestive but not conclusive. Until BPA is proven to be safe, there’s not much anyone can do to limit exposure. According to Dr. David Carpenter, director of the Institute for Health and the Environment at the University at Albany in New York, virtually everyone is exposed to BPA via a wide range of plastic products.
“The problem in our society is that we are all exposed to this mixture of chemicals, and which ones are responsible for disease is difficult to determine,” he says. Besides plastic baby bottles, BPA can be found in CDs, sunglasses, canned goods and water bottles. An FDA advisory panel has been meeting on the issue to assess the latest data. We’ll try to keep you posted on the results.
