F.D.A. to Reconsider Plastic Bottle Risk
Harmful chemicals in infant formulas! There is literally no end to the risks that have been studied and published recently -- mostly about bisphenol -- a key component of polycarbonate plastics used in our manufacturing industries.
- BPA is linked to a variety of illness from ADHD, and obesity, to erectile dysfunction and birth defects.
- The good news is that despite all the news hype, BPA in its ingested form is rendered harmless by our bodies. Digestive enzymes conveniently add a sugar molecule to the chemical and streamline it to be disposed of in our urine.
- Studies have revealed that BPA absorbed via skin and lungs causes much more harm. Therefore factory workers with more direct exposure are at much higher risk. Surprisingly, this chemical is used in paper as well -- store receipts are coated with a powdery layer of BPA (60 to 100 mg instead of the nanograms that have been found in plastic). A recent Science News article found that BPA found on receipts is dusted off on the fingers, where it either makes its way to food, or is absorbed through the skin: http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/48084/title/Concerned_about_BPA_Check_your_receipts
- Your mother was always right: wash your hands!
http://www.consumerreports.org/health/healthy-living/health-safety/bpa/overview/bisphenol-a-ov.htm.
It is still too early to weigh in on this, but important to keep abreast of which companies have become more proactive in removing this chemical from their manufacturing plants.
