Chemical In Plastic Bottles May Be Toxic

Bisephenol A, Used In Many Shatter-Proof Containers, Liked To Hormone Issues, Tumors

(CBS/AP)  A chemical used to make baby bottles and other shatterproof plastic containers could be linked to a range of hormonal problems, a preliminary government report has found.

The report was greeted by some environmental groups as confirmation of their warnings, while chemical makers latched on to the report's preliminary nature and its authors' warning against drawing overly worrisome conclusions.

The federal National Toxicology Program said Tuesday that experiments on rats found precancerous tumors, urinary tract problems and early puberty when the animals were fed or injected with low doses of the plastics chemical bisphenol A.

While such animal studies provide only "limited evidence" of bisphenol's developmental risks, the group's draft report stresses the possible effects on humans "cannot be dismissed." The group comprises scientists from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Institutes of Health.

More than 90 percent of Americans are exposed to trace amounts of bisphenol, according to the CDC. The chemical leaches out of water bottles, the lining of cans and other items made with it.

The American Chemistry Council, which represents manufacturers, said the report "affirms that there are no serious or high level concerns for adverse effects of bisphenol on human reproduction and development." Among the manufacturers of bisphenol are Dow Chemical Co. and Germany-based BASF Group.

The group said it supports additional research to determine whether adverse effects seen in animals "are of any significance to human health."

Environmentalists, meanwhile, hailed the report as the first step toward reassessing a chemical they believe could contribute to cancer and other health problems.

"We're hoping this decision will force FDA to recognize the toxicity of this chemical and make manufacturers set a safety standard that's protective of the most vulnerable populations," said Dr. Anila Jacob of the Environmental Working Group.

The toxicology group's findings echo those of researchers assembled by the National Institutes of Health, who in August recommended more research on bisphenol in humans.

The FDA said in November there is "no reason at this time to ban or otherwise restrict its use." The agency on Tuesday did not immediately have any comment about the new report.

Growing misgivings about the chemical have pushed many consumers toward glass alternatives, and triggered investigations by state and federal lawmakers.

Democratic Rep. John Dingell urged FDA on Tuesday to reconsider the safety of bisphenol, saying the toxicology report's findings "fly in the face of the FDA's determination."

Dingell, who chairs the Energy and Commerce Committee in the House of Representatives, issued letters this year to seven companies that make baby formulations questioning whether they use bisphenol in the lining of their cans and bottles.

The companies included Hain Celestial Group, Nestle USA and Abbott Laboratories.

A spokeswoman for the International Formula Council, which represents baby food makers, said Tuesday, "The overwhelming scientific evidence supports the safety" of bisphenol, adding that no foreign governments have restricted or banned its use.

The National Toxicology Program will take public comments on its initial report through May. A final version will be issued this summer.

State lawmakers in New Jersey passed a bill this month that would ban the sale of all products containing bisphenol in that state.

Canada's health agency also is examining health risks of bisphenol and is expected to issue its findings in coming days.

However, three of Canada's major retailers said Tuesday they were pulling bottles that contain the controversial chemical, in anticipation of Health Canada labeling it a dangerous substance.

The Forzani Group, Canada's largest sporting goods retailer, and Hudson's Bay Company, which includes Bay and Zellers stores, announced they're removing products containing bisephenol, including water and baby bottles, from their shelves.

Several other Canadian retails had already moved to take the products out of stock or to offer refunds on items already sold.

[nonayabiness]

The article could have perhaps been improved by letting consumers know which bottles/brands are affected. My baby would appreciate it. Besides, I looked and haven''t found a baby bottle yet that lists ''ingredients.'' So there''s no way for consumers to tell. Let me guess. Could this ingredient be coming from China along with all the lead they are providing to our children?

[thinkharder-]

There are a number of products that are more prone to leach these chemistries than others. I believe the worst of them are:

Polyethylene Terephthalate: Soft drink, water and salad dressing bottles; peanut butter and jam jars

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC): Juice bottles; cling films

Polystyrene: Egg cartons; disposable cups, plates, trays and cutlery; disposable take-away containers; yogurt and margarine containers. Beverage bottles; baby milk bottles.

[fed-up4]

I understand you can tell the level of hazard posed by a specific bottle by looking at the recycling code on the bottom. Check out the following site:
http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/eco-friendly/plastic-bottles-toxins-water-bottles-460410

I hope this helps!

[watcher269-2009]

WOW - another petroleum based product that''s dangerous to humans. Time to go back to glass!

Stainless Steel water bottles are the way to go. Sunlight won''t affect them like it does plastic. I will tell you this but the FDA or any other government entity that is tied to big corporations won''t. The conflicts of the FDA are too numerous to mention. Maybe the thousands of lawsuits against the FDA including suits from over 20 states might be a clue to the corruption that lies within.

[pollroller1]

The best thing to use is glass or stainless. I would not eat or drink out of anything made of plastic.
And DO NOT put food in a microwave oven in any kind of plastic, or cover your food with plastic wrap in a microwave oven.

[tcoleman12]

How about just drinking water straight from the dirty, tree-hugging environmentalists'' hands?

Everyone just hire a tree-hugger to live with them, if you don''t have one living with you already, to bring you hands full of water when needed. It may be problematic on diner dates until the notion is more widely accepted, then they will be viewed as more of an accessory.

TC-Tap water drinker

[oscarez]

No one knows how much damage bisphenol''s can do to the DNA of a cell. If you are over the age of 55 your parents used glass. It may be to late for the younger generations.

[justfacts2]

Evenflo still makes glass baby bottles and that is what my husband and I intend to use once our baby is born. I am sorry but when it comes to freshness you can''t beat glass containers. Gerber has decided to do away with glass baby food jars. Why I have no idea, but I will not be using their products if it is stored in plastic. Anyone that has common sense knows plastic releases some sort of toxin(s); anything that is stored in a plastic container tastes funny. Why take chances? Just because companies say that Biphesonol isn''t harmful doesn''t mean it isn''t true. They are trying to save their butts and keep producing products on the cheap instead of having the consumer''s best interests in mind.

[shingles1]

The American "oversight" agencies are worthless - corrupt wholly owned subsidiaries of corporations. If you want to find out what''s safe and what''s not, find out what the European standards are for any given item. As much as my libertarianism dislikes regulation in general, I''m thankful for the stringency of the European regulations...after all, while these guidelines may err on the side of caution, I don''t have a problem with this when it comes to my own child.

[schwarzzennegger]

Of one thing we can be sure... that we cannot rely on the FDA,or the Gov''t in general, to look out for us and protect us. They are in the pockets of Multi-National Corporations.. and for all practical purposes.. do their bidding until the evidence becomes so absolutely overwhelming, that they have to enforce a change. Unfortunately, that is often MANY years down the road..or never. Go to your local health food stores and buy products there, read their literature, and talk to knowledgeable store owners or employees to get the real facts.

[schwarzzennegger]

P.S. AND.... PLEASE RECYCLE.. so that all this junk doesn''t end up in our groundwater.. and back into our bodies....

[gunownerdan]

The report a few days ago about dangerous plastic said that plastics marked with the number 3, 6, and 7 are the ones to be most worried about.
You can find the number on the botton of most plastic containers inside the little triangle used for recycling.

[thinkharder-]

TC-Tap water drinker

Posted by tcoleman12 at 09:26 AM : Apr 16, 2008

tap water drinker huh? That explains your beligerent nonsensical tirade. I bet you ate paint chips off the window sill when your were a kid also, didn''t you?

[starleo146]

I wonder what the nipples to these bottles will produce

[fairmusic]

Lets go back to glass!




TORO MISTREATS EMPLOYEES IN WINDOM MN

[s1ckd09]

You people are frightening. Any report that comes out that even minutely suggests a problem... not confirms it, just SUGGESTS it... and you run around like it''s the worst thing that''s ever happened. That''s why these stupid preliminary reports are useless. Wait until more research is done, will you? You probably are the same people who believed all of this man-made warming ***, that is now so ingrained in your mind that you can''t see the mounting evidence disproving it, and more importantly, what harm all the so-called "fixes" will, and are, doing. If bisphenol is a problem, it will be blown WAY out proportion, like some of you already are doing. It''s all about the quantity ingested, not the chemical itself, just like taking too much Vitamin A, B-6, D, etc. can be very harmful.

[caliengineer]

Three years ago, while praying in a small group, my friend turned to me and said, "Eventually, they are going to come out and say that plastic is bad for you, that it is very bad."

When Putin''s KGB attempted to kill the Christian presidential candidate in Ukraine, Victor Yuschenko, they used the byproduct of plastic that goes into food. (That''s why you are not supposed to microwave in plastic.)

[mainedoggie]

************
You probably are the same people who believed all of this man-made warming ***, that is now so ingrained in your mind that you can''''t see the mounting evidence disproving it, and more importantly, what harm all the so-called "fixes" will, and are, doing.
*********

What an idiotic statement.
Do you drive a Hummer too knuckle-head?

[Syndicate]

I prefer not to worry about all the toxins in the environment, I''ll die when I die.

[erasmus6]

"WOW - another petroleum based product that''''s dangerous to humans. Time to go back to glass!" Posted by watcher269

You got that right. And it isn''t just plastic with bisphenol in it, it is ALL plastic. And never mind ingesting it, plastic puts off a toxic gas as well.

Also never put a plastic water bottle in the freezer because that also releases the bad chemicals into the water.

[alexma50085]

This is what happens when we let China make everything we use in our everyday lives. China doesn''t uphold the same standards as American companies had to do.

[erasmus6]

"Won''''t be drinking soda from plastic any more." Posted by labombaOH

What are you going to drink it from then? ALUMINUM cans? I don''t know but I think that is probably just as bad.

[bookwerm314]

FYI, drinking Soda out of the PLASTIC bottle is the SAFE way.. relative to drinking it out of the can! The lining in the can (you can''t see it!) is the nasty stuff... the plastic in regular pop bottles does NOT contain this. Pay attention.. devil is in the details.

[kennergirl]

I don''t know about the chemical leaching into food and drinks placed in plastic, but I do know that things taste different when in plastic instead of glass. Also, the fact that certain items will leach into plastic so why not out of it?

[s1ckd09]

Just curious... does anyone here know HOW much of this chemical can leach into the system? That seems to be the main point. If it is only trace amounts, then no harm is done, as this study and all other studies prove. Just because a certain amount is harmful doesn''t mean ANY amount is harmful. But since this article and every other article I can find never mentions the amount of bisephenol A that can be ingested under normal circumstances, saying "low dose" is meaningless unless given what a "normal does" is. Use your brains people.

[cmp271]

Maybe this explains why so many of our children are developing at an earlier age. We hear of 8 year old girls and younger showing signs of early development. I am sure boys are too, it just isn''t as obvious.

I don''t use alot of plastic, as I rarely drink water in a bottle-just at work-and or soda. Maybe glass soda bottles will come back too.

[erasmus6]

"Also, the fact that certain items will leach into plastic so why not out of it?" Posted by kennergirl

They aren''t talking about anything leaching INTO plastic, they are talking about the chemicals in plastic leaching into food and drink.

"Just curious... does anyone here know HOW much of this chemical can leach into the system? That seems to be the main point. If it is only trace amounts, then no harm is done..." Posted by s1ckd09

Let''s put it this way, there are people that drink MANY bottles of water, everyday. There are people that are reusing water bottles and that is even worse because the plastic breaks down over time. Not only that but everything else is in plastic as well. People are using plastic in the microwave which pushes the plastic molecules into the food.

When everything is in plastic these days, all those trace amounts add up, don''t you think?

[lochlan-2009]

"The FDA said in November there is "no reason at this time to ban or otherwise restrict its use." The agency on Tuesday did not immediately have any comment about the new report."

"However, three of Canada''s major retailers said Tuesday they were pulling bottles that contain the controversial chemical, in anticipation of Health Canada labeling it a dangerous substance."

The difference between Canada and the U.S. is quite apparent by the actions each goverment. Canada seems to cares about the effect on its people health, while the U.S. seems to care about the effect on its corporations profits.

[s1ckd09]

What an idiotic statement.
Do you drive a Hummer too knuckle-head?

No, but I do read A LOT about GW, and not just the stuff I want to believe. I read the arguments for and against, and I see what is confirmed, what is proven false, what is purely conjecture, the accuracy of predictions based on models, and also how much is still not known about how our climate works. I have seen misleading reports (like the falsehood of the Antartic losing ice) and reports that treat predictions as facts. I look at periods of history longer than just time periods that support one view and see an expected climate change like we are experiencing. Can you name ONE thing that any of the global warming alarmists have predicted that has come true, or even evidence that it MAY become true? Look at the price of corn, and what has been done to the food supply because ethanol was supposed to be the cure. Have you looked at the amount of water it takes to produce biofuels and how much water would be required to produce enough biofuels to make a difference? Have you considered what the effect of the increased demand of water (40-100 times more than the amount used to process fossil fuels, btw) will cause? Have you heard a definitive statement on the effects of clouds on climate? I can go on and on and on, but I''ve only got 1500 characters.
So how is my statement idiotic? I suggest you look at the other point of view, and see which side has more holes in their opinions and science like I have done.

[s1ckd09]

When everything is in plastic these days, all those trace amounts add up, don''''t you think?



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by erasmus6 at 12:02 PM : Apr 16, 2008


That''s my point... trace amounts add up to what? How much is harful? Isn''t that the only important thing? Vitamin A can kill you, so do you stop taking it? Drinking too much water can kill you. Do you stop drinking water? It''s all about the amounts...

[erasmus6]

"The difference between Canada and the U.S. is quite apparent by the actions each goverment. Canada seems to cares about the effect on its people health, while the U.S. seems to care about the effect on its corporations profits." Posted by lochlan


I live in Canada and have to say that I am proud that our government is actually doing something. Also, I have said this a few times now but Canada is also starting to fine companies for bringing in tainted foods and stuff with toxic chemicals in it, from China.

[erasmus6]

Another thing I have said a few times is that the government of Canada DOES listen to it''s people.:)

[mgb1unc]

Just a bunch of whiney sissys.

[yongamerica]

Well, DUH! The indivual chemicals that make up plastic are extremely poisonous to living creatures. The plastic matrix stabilizes them, but free radicals do escape the matrix and are mixed within the foodsstuff housed in the plastic container. This has been known for as many years as plastic has been made.
In layman terms it''s called OUTGASSING.

[barbaraf4]

"Chemical In Plastic Bottles May Be Toxic"

Great....now they tell us.

[rf35]

I think I''ll buy stock in a glass bottle manufacturing corp. Whether this bisephenol scare is warranted or not, I have a feeling several companies may switch over, especially if other contries start enacting restrictions.
The thing is, nothing is safe anymore. First it was aluminum cans, then it was the diet soda IN the cans, now it''s the plastic bottles. Wait long enough and I''m sure there will be something wrong with glass.
Something is going to kill you, so why worry over something that is so subtle that it has gone unnoticed for decades? Concentrate on the the thing that''s staring you in the face, like petrolium emissions or tobacco smoke. Living in fear of everything is no way to exsist. Based on this report, even living in a plastic bubble could be harmful. You can''t escape all toxins, so just focus on avoiding the nastier ones.

[s1ckd09]

I live in Canada and have to say that I am proud that our government is actually doing something. Also, I have said this a few times now but Canada is also starting to fine companies for bringing in tainted foods and stuff with toxic chemicals in it, from China.

------------------

Posted by erasmus6 at 12:40 PM : Apr 16, 2008

So... you feel better that Canada is doing something, regardless of whether it makes a difference. No thanks... I would rather live in society ruled by facts and not by fear. And I suppose all of the injuries and possible deaths related to glass breakage will be worth it raised against the possibility, although unproven despite 95% of people using plastics everyday, of kids possibly going through puberty early? Do you forget WHY plastics replaced glass?

[erasmus6]

"So... you feel better that Canada is doing something, regardless of whether it makes a difference. No thanks... I would rather live in society ruled by facts and not by fear." Posted by s1ckd09

You don''t even make sense. If Canada is stopping all contaminated goods from entering the country, it obviously is going to make a difference. We will have eliminated at least one source of contamination. That means less people and animals dying or getting sick.

A society ruled by facts and not fear? The fact is that plastic IS a toxic chemical. Do I live in fear? NO, because I know my government is looking out for my best interests.

On the subject of a society that is living in fear, isn''t that you? Isn''t that why a lot of you carry GUNS because you live in fear of someone getting you? I don''t need that gun because I do not live with that fear.

[lochlan-2009]

"We will have eliminated at least one source of contamination. That means less people and animals dying or getting sick."

An advantage of having your government pay your medical. Our government hopes we get sick, more money for the heavily lobbied medical field.

[usbrit-2009]

That''''s my point... trace amounts add up to what? How much is harful? Isn''''t that the only important thing? Vitamin A can kill you, so do you stop taking it? Drinking too much water can kill you. Do you stop drinking water? It''''s all about the amounts...

Posted by s1ckd09

I did a quick check of MSDS''s on bisphenol A and found solubility in water to be an unilluminating 0.1% - that 1000 ppm. Bisphenol A has been the main ingredient in polycarbonates for years. Wikipedia does a pretty good job of describing polycarbs, though, obviously there are text books written on the subject. Not sure how much unreacted BA is allowed in the polycarb used for bottles. (The only leechate would be from unreacted BA - the BA chemically bonded into the polymer can not be leeched out). My initial thoughts are, given how much water is drunk from polycarb bottles there''d be plenty of direct evidence there was something wrong if it were that dangerous.

As a Ph.D. chemist, I have used some pretty icky things in my time. Most of these trace chemical stories turn out to be crying wolf. My problem is that too much crying wolf leads to complacency. At that time warnings about truly dangerous chemicals - pesticides, for example are ignored and people get hurt. Hope this helps.

[erasmus6]

"An advantage of having your government pay your medical." Posted by lochlan

Where do you people get this stuff? It would be nice if they did but they don''t. WE pay for our medical in payments every month. We just aren''t being overcharged and sucked dry by big corporations and a corrupt government.

[usbrit-2009]

Posted by erasmus6

You''ve got to remember erasmus that the people in the US don''t think they should pay the government for anything, let alone "National Insurance." They''re happier paying a private insurance company three times as much as they would for NI because NI''s another tax, and leads directly to the greatest dread of all - Socialized Medicine.

[erasmus6]

"...and leads directly to the greatest dread of all - Socialized Medicine." Posted by USBrit

I just don''t get it. I think that for some reason people have a completely distorted view of our medical system. I hear people calling it "socialized medicine" and "universal Medicine". Is there a difference? I mean it is like people freak right out at the thought. Someone told me once that they didn''t want someone telling them when they could go to the doctor or what doctor they could go to and I said it isn''t like that at all. They have a totally distorted view. If anything that is the way the U.S. system is, not ours.

[erasmus6]

Also most countries so called "socialized or universal" medical system isn''t necessarily the same as another country.

[jstbngmyslf0]

I am a 1st time grandmother to a 4-1/2 month old and just spent the last hour looking for glass bottles. Yes, better safe than sorry as my cpr class I had today told me. If you can not find glass baby bottles, your baby juice bottles will allow you to use the nipples on them, the only place I found them out of Fred Meyers, Bi-Mart, Big lots, Goodwill, and Toys R Us was at the later, Toys R Us, Yes I bought the last 2 8oz pkgs, there were more 4oz pkgs there, I somewhat remember seeing some at Wal-Mart but don''t know if I am remembering correctly. Cancer, all types run through my family and the less risk my granddaughter has the better!!!

[erasmus6]

The glass bottle solves one problem but what about the nipple? I hate to think what is in it.

[usbrit-2009]

erasmus6 - the nipple is just natural latex - probably no added chemicals. Now, of course, being "natural" the latex contains certain proteins that can cause an anaphylactic shock response in sensitive people. A not insignificant number of people have died because of latex allergies.

[ralan40]

...note to self...stop freebasing plastic...