Bisphenol A
Learn what you can do to keep your children safe from Bisphenol A
Over the past year, there’s been growing debate and public concern around a substance called bisphenol A or BPA. Bisphenol A is a chemical that is found in products made of polycarbonate plastics which tend to be very hard clear plastics, which can be coloured, such as reusable water bottles, plastic toys, food containers and children’s sippy cups. BPA can also be found as a liner in some metal food cans and in some dental material.
All of the media attention around BPA has left many parents wondering if they should keep using products that contains BPA or get rid of them. Governments and organizations continue to monitor research about whether exposure to bisphenol A can be a cancer risk. So far, it is not clear if it is but if you’re concerned there are steps you can take.
The good news is that Canada has become the first country in the world to ban the import and sale of baby bottles containing bisphenol A and Health Canada has devoted funds to study this chemical. Some companies are starting to make information available about the ingredients in their products through websites and eventually directly on their products.
One of the best things you can do is to be informed about the contents in material in the places where you live, work and play and in the products you use so you can make informed decisions about your family’s health.
If you are concerned about BPA here are a few other ways to reduce exposure:
- Prepare infant formula according to Health Canada’s recommendations.
- Avoid children’s toys, bottles and dishes made with polycarbonate plastic. Plastics made with BPA typically have the recycle code 7. The recycling code 7 represents several “Other” types of plastics, so not all number 7 plastics are polycarbonate. However, you can only be sure it is polycarbonate if the number 7 also has a PC beside it. If the product does not have a recycling symbol, there is no certain way to figure out if the product contains BPA without contacting the manufacturer.
- Choose other food and drink containers for your children, such as stainless steel or glass, or products made of polypropylene plastic (recycle code 5).
- Choose fresh or frozen foods over canned when possible.
- Talk to your dentist about the materials being used during dental work and the options available.
While you may not be able to eliminate bisphenol A from your family’s daily lives, you can take steps to reduce their exposure to it.
