The dangers of Bisphenol a (BPA) and

other plastics

University of Phoenix Axia College

Stacey Smith
The dangers of Bisphenol a (BPA) and other plastics

The dangers of Bisphenol a (BPA) and

other plastics

How many times have you stopped to look at the bottom of your plastics to check the
recycling number before using it? Are you are asking yourself, what recycling number? Then
read on for a Bisphenol A (also known as BPA) 101. On the bottom of plastic containers, for
instance; zip lock reusable containers and the most popular water bottle, one will find a triangle.
Within this triangle made of arrows there is a number. I will examine the number graph later in
this essay but for the moment I want to focus on BPA. BPA is a toxic plastic chemical found in
polycarbonate plastic and the resinous lining of food cans (EWG 2008). Claims have been made
that BPA is safe so long as the number on the bottom of your plastic product falls under certain
numbers, this is not necessarily true. The FDA was required to reopen the case on the safety of
BPA. This chemical acts like estrogen in the bodies of both men and woman. BPA is especially
dangerous for the fetus, young children, and men. BPA has also been a suspicious component to
cancer.
For the sake of keeping everyone on track let us take a moment to understand what is
safe and what is not. Take a look at the two colored tables below. The first table shows
plastic products considered safer and less likely to leach onto ones food. The second table
will show plastic items that are suggested to avoid. I am sure one can immediately recognize
many household items but do not worry about these, at least not today. The items one can focus
on are those in which one stores ones food and the items one uses for eating and drinking. These
graphs are meant to make one their own advocate against the harmful effects of plastics.

The dangers of Bisphenol a (BPA) and

other plastics

TABLE ONE: SAFER PLASTICS

Safer Plastics
#1 PETE

Commonly found in:

Soft drinks, water and
beer bottles;
mouthwash bottles;
peanut butter
containers; salad
dressing and vegetable
oil containers; oven
food trays.

Can be Recycled into:

Polar fleece, fiber, tote
bags, furniture, carpet,
paneling, straps,
(occasionally) new
containers

#2 HDPE

Milk jugs, juice bottles;

bleach, detergent and
household cleaner
bottles; shampoo
bottles; some trash and
shopping bags; motor
oil bottles; butter and
yogurt tubs; cereal box
liners.

Laundry detergent bottles,

oil bottles, pens, recycling
containers, floor tile,
drainage pipe, lumber,
benches, doghouses,
picnic tables, fencing

Products purpose:
PET plastic is the most
common for single-use
bottled beverages,
because it is
inexpensive,
lightweight and easy to
recycle. It poses low
risk of leaching
breakdown products.
Recycling rates remain
relatively low (around
20%), though the
material is in high
demand by
remanufacturers.

HDPE is a versatile
plastic with many
uses, especially for
packaging. It carries
low risk of leaching
and is readily
recyclable into many
goods.

The dangers of Bisphenol a (BPA) and

other plastics

#4 PVC

Squeezable bottles;
bread, frozen food, dry
cleaning and shopping
bags; tote bags;
clothing; furniture;
carpet

Trash can liners and

cans, compost bins,
shipping envelopes,
paneling, lumber,
landscaping ties, floor tile

LDPE is a flexible
plastic with many
applications.
Historically it has not
been accepted through
most American
curbside recycling
programs, but more
and more communities
are starting to accept
it. Generally
considered safe, with
some precautions.

#5 PP

Some yogurt
containers, syrup
bottles, ketchup bottles,
caps, straws, medicine
bottles.

Signal lights, battery

cables, brooms, brushes,
auto battery cases, ice
scrapers, landscape
borders, bicycle racks,
rakes, bins, pallets, trays

Polypropylene has a
high melting point, and
so is often chosen for
containers that must
accept hot liquid. It is
gradually being
accepted by recyclers.
Generally considered
safe, with some
precautions.

Before moving forward which items stuck out the most? My guess is water, soda, and
beer bottles; salad dressings and ketchup; cereal and bread. My two suggestions are this. Buy a
BPA free or stainless steel water bottle that can be refilled with filtered water. Buy beer and soda
in glass bottles instead of plastic; make the switch from Tupperware or plastic zip lock storage
containers to glass storage containers, for example, Pyrex. When one comes home with groceries
one can restore the food for ones own safety. Tip: Using glass can make ones grocery list easier
because you literally see how low something is or if it has not been eaten it at all. Just remember
to cut the cooking instructions off the boxes and insert them into the glass containers.

The dangers of Bisphenol a (BPA) and

other plastics

TABLE TWO: PLASTICS TO AVOID, THEY ARE NOT SAFE!

Plastics to Avoid

Commonly found in:

Can be recycled into:

Products :

#3 PVC

Window cleaner and detergent bottles,

shampoo bottles, cooking oil bottles,
clear food packaging, wire jacketing,
medical equipment, siding, windows,
piping

Decks, paneling, mud

flaps, roadway gutters,
flooring, cables, speed
bumps, mats. Rarely
recycled; accepted by
some plastic lumber
makers.

PVC is tough and

weathers well, so it is
commonly used for
piping, siding and
similar applications.
PVC contains
chlorine, so its
manufacture can
release highly
dangerous dioxins. If
you must cook with
PVC, don't let the
plastic touch food.
Also never burn PVC,
because it releases
toxins.

#6 PS

Disposable plates and cups, meat

trays, egg cartons, carry-out
containers, aspirin bottles, compact
disc cases.

Insulation, light switch

plates, egg cartons,
vents, rulers, foam
packing, carry-out
containers.

Polystyrene can be
made into rigid or
foam products -- in
the latter case it is
popularly known as
the trademark
Styrofoam. Evidence
suggests polystyrene
can leach potential
toxins into foods. The
material was long on
environmentalists' hit
lists for dispersing
widely across the
landscape, and for
being notoriously
difficult to recycle.
Most places still don't

The dangers of Bisphenol a (BPA) and

other plastics

accept it, though it is

gradually gaining
traction.

#7 MISC.

Three- and five-gallon water bottles,

'bullet-proof' materials, sunglasses,
DVDs, iPod and computer cases,
signs and displays, certain food
containers, nylon

Number 7 plastics have

traditionally not been
recycled, though some
curbside programs now
take them.

A wide variety of
plastic resins that
don't fit into the
previous categories
are lumped into
number 7. A few are
even made from
plants (polyactide)
and are compostable.
Polycarbonate is
number 7, and is the
hard plastic that has
parents worried these
days, after studies
have shown it can
leach potential
hormone disruptors.

This second graph clarified the differences between safe and unsafe products. Multiple
items on this list are items that one eats and drinks from. Its all about small steps; start by
buying paper cups and plates instead of plastic. It may cost more today but weigh that against
future hospital bills.
On October 30, 2008 an edition was posted on American health line about the FDA scientists
reopening the investigation into the safety of bisphenol A. A report was released on October 29,
2008 by the subcommittee of the agency of Science board which said that the FDA ignored
scientific evidence and used flawed methods to reach the conclusion that bisphenol A was safe,
posing no risks to humans. According to the FDA, it could take two to five years to complete
additional studies on BPA. The FDA says "based on all available evidence, the present

The dangers of Bisphenol a (BPA) and

other plastics

consensus among regulatory agencies in the United States, Canada, Europe and Japan that
current levels of exposure to BPA through food packaging does not pose an immediate health
risk to the general population, including infants and babies (American health line 2008). How
can this be an accurate statement? Canada banned the use of BPA in baby bottles on April 17,
2008. Canada is the first country to do this. Canadas move added pressure on the U.S. Federal
regulators to reexamine their position on BPA (Layton, Lee 2008).
So the question remains Is BPA-Fear a false alarm? Ginsberg states, it turns out that the
body uses the sugar-adding mechanism not just to disarm toxins but also to shuttle natural
hormones around the body in an inactive form. When the hormones arrive at their destination,
another enzyme turns them back on. That can happen to BPA, too. One place it gets reactivated is
in the placenta, which could result in harmful effects on developing fetuses (Carey, 2009).
A study was done on 37 pregnant women living in urban areas of Germany. Schonfelder
developed some new methods in analytical chemistry allowing them to measure bisphenol A
reliably at extremely low-levels within human tissue and serum. These methods were applied to
samples of blood and tissue taken during pregnancy and immediately at birth. They found
bisphenol A in all human samples examined: placental tissue, mothers' blood plasma obtained
during weeks 32-41 of pregnancy and placental tissue and umbilical cord blood plasma at the
babys birth. In 14 of the 37 mother-fetal comparisons, fetal concentrations were higher than the
mother's (Schonfelder, Wittfoht, Hopp, Talsness, Paul, & Chahoud, 2002). In response to recent
controversy, a European Food Safety Authority expert scientific panel reviewed new scientific
data and concluded that its previously established safe limit for bisphenol-A provides a
sufficient margin of safety for the protection of the consumer, including fetuses and newborns
(Kneiss, 2008.)

The dangers of Bisphenol a (BPA) and

other plastics

Children exposed to BPA while in the womb or at birth may begin to show increased
behavior problems as a toddler. BPA found in pregnant woman during the earliest stages of
pregnancy had daughters who were more aggressive and hyperactive. It may come as a surprise
to hear that scientist stated toddler girls seemed to be the most affected. Toddler boys didnt show
a big difference in aggression, but instead became more anxious and depressed (Katie M, 2009.)
Can one believe this dangerous chemical is made at a rate of 6 billion pounds a year? One
should because it is used in all types of plastic products. The culprit, BPA, responds to ones
body like the female hormone estrogen. BPA has especially dangerous side effects for men. Men
should not be digesting estrogen for obvious reasons and BPA also blocks the male hormone
androgen. In animal studies it is linked to prostate damage, low sperm count, and the possibility
of cancer. When epidemiologist Dr. De Kun Li tested Chinese workers exposed to higher than
normal levels of BPA they reported increases in erectile dysfunction (Carey, 2009). Could it be
any worse? Of course it could; BPA is suspected of causing breast and prostate cancer, diabetes,
hyperactivity, and other serious disorders in lavatory animals (Layton, Lee 2008).

*Recycling numbers found on the bottom of

ones plastic products*

Polyethylene terephthalate

High density polyethylene

The dangers of Bisphenol a (BPA) and

other plastics

V (Vinyl) or PVC

LDPE (low density polyethylene)

PP (polypropylene)

PS (polystyrene)

Miscellaneous

The recycling number shown above is the number that one should be looking for on the
bottom of plastic products. Philip Landrigan stated that he asked doctors what they do in their
own homes to reduce risks. The Doctors said avoid microwaving food in plastic or putting
plastics in the dishwasher because heat may cause chemicals to leach out. Safer plastics are
those marked 1, 2, 4, or 5. It is suggested that the plastics to avoid are those numbered 3, 6 and 7
unless they are marked BPA-free (Landrigan & Kristof 2009).
On the other hand, the American Chemistry Council and their member companies want
to reassure parents that BPA is among the most studied chemicals in the world. It was stated that
BPA has a 50-year-old track record for safety. The FDA and government agencies are not alone
in this belief. In 2008 experts in charge of public health decisions in Europe and Japan had
concluded that BPA is safe for food containers (Kneiss, 2008).

The dangers of Bisphenol a (BPA) and

other plastics

In a CBS News report hosted by Meg Olive, she shows newspaper clips stating the
margins of safety defined by FDA as adequate are, in fact; inadequate. Another clip says
creates a false sense of security and finally overlooks a wide range of potentially-serious
findings. Meg Olive speaks to Dr. Alton Barron of Roosevelt Hospital Center further on this
subject. Dr. Barron says the earlier one is exposed to BPA increases the chances that these
chemicals can create a higher risk of cancer, neurological developmental issues, diabetes, and
breast cancer. Dr. Barron suggests that BPA is unsafe and he says the FDA has made no
movements to ban BPA used in canned food, canned baby formula, or baby bottles the way
Canada has. He warns that if a plastic product is has a number seven on the bottom of it than do
not use it, it defiantly contains BPA (CBS News Clip). One can see regardless of what the FDA
says BPA is dangerous. If it were not dangerous, why is the FDA required to re-examine their
claims that it is? Why has Canada already banned it, and why have some states in the U.S. made
their own decisions to ban BPA?
The dangers and warnings of BPA may not be as open today as it should be, but watch as
the discoveries unfold. Watch how often you notice the products that are marked BPA free now
that you are aware of it. Within seven years the people who said I grew up on plastic or this
is just hype will know someone who is medically affected by Bisphenol A. Ignoring the
discoveries made today could hurt ones health, if it has not already. If one can be the voice and
one can educate than why not spread the word? One person can make a difference and everyone
should try. (Hallmark)
.

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The dangers of Bisphenol a (BPA) and

other plastics

References:
Carey, J. (2009, December 17). Getting to the bottom of plastic bottle risks. Business Week,
(4158), retrieved on January 13, 2010 from EBSCO host database.
EWG, Initials. (2008, April 23). Cheat sheet: bisphenol a (bpa). Retrieved on January 13, 2010
from http://www.enviroblog.org//2008/04/cheatsheet-bisphenol-a-bpa.html?
gclid=COiblraOi58CFR5inAodSCOYKA
FDA: to reopen investigation into safety of bpa . (2008, October 30). American health line,
Retrieved on January 13, 2010 from Axia College, Health and Wellness database.
http://www.americanhealthline.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/article.aspx?s=45732
Kneiss, S. (2008, September 10). The Safety of the chemical bpa. The New York Times, retrieved
on January 29, 2010 from Gale, Opposing viewpoints Resource Center.
Kristof, A. (2009, December 9). Cancer from the kitchen? International Herald Tribune, pg. 11.
Retrieved on January 14, 2010 from http://www.asiahealthcareblog.com/2009/12/09/cancer-inyour-kitchen-nicholas-kristofs-noble-doublespeak/
Layton, L, & Lee, C. (2008, April 19). Canada bans bpa from baby bottles. Washington Post,
Retrieved on January 13, 2010 from
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/content/article/2008/04/18/AR2008041803036.html

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The dangers of Bisphenol a (BPA) and

other plastics

Lowell, M. (2009, November 13). Bpa levels in canned goods vary widely. 2009 ANG
Newspaper, retrieved on January 13, 2010, from Pro Quest database.
M, Katie. (2009, November 2). Bpa in plastics linked to aggressive behavior in children.
Retrieved from http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/11/02/bpa-in-plastics-linked-toaggressive-behavior-in-children/
Shalev, Z. (Producer). (2008). Plastic bottles dangerous? [Web]. Retrieved on November 28,
2009 from http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4555539n&tag=related;photovideo
Schnfelder, G, Chahoud, I, Wittfoht, W, Hopp, H, Talsness, CE, & Paul, M. (2002). Our Stolen
future. Retrieved on January 13, 2010 from
http://www.ourstolenfuture.org/NewScience/oncompounds/bisphenola/2002/200210schonfelderetal.htm
Information for my two graphs were obtained by the website:
http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/latest/recycling-symbols-plastics-460321

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