Is BPA Safe
CHEM 1000
May 10, 2012
Is BPA Safe?
The Swedish government has elected to discontinue the use of bispenol A or BPA, in protective coatings in food packaging for children up to three years old. Though children’s food packaging is currently free of BPA due to the chemical industry volunteering to use BPA alternatives, the decision to ban the endocrine system disrupting chemical guarantees it is phased out permanently. Swedish officials have said they are taking such measures as a “matter of precaution.”
The Swedes would also like the European Union to take a similar approach when addressing the controversial chemical. In fact, Swedish Minister of Environment Lena Ek is on record as saying ”The EU should take more far-reaching initiatives than today to limit children 's exposure to bisphenol A and other known endocrine disruptors.” To its credit, the European Commission has banned the use of BPA in plastic baby feeding bottles in March 2011. BPA is used as a raw material in manufacturing polycarbonates and epoxy compounds. Polycarbonate plastic is a lightweight, high-quality plastic that has a unique balance of toughness, optical clarity, high heat resistance, and excellent electrical resistance. As a result of these traits, polycarbonate is used in an array of common everyday products including digital equipment, electrical and electronic equipment, automobiles, sports safety equipment, reusable food and drink containers, and many other products.
The controversy, however, emanates from a study conducted by the Swedish Chemical Agency (KEMI) and the National Food Agency, which found that they were unable to identify what levels of the product were acceptable for use. KEMI scientists believe that their findings, which stem from animal testing, raises concerns that that fetal BPA-exposure may give effects as the animals get older. The focus on small children comes from animal studies that clearly highlight that it is the fetal and prenatal period that is
May 10, 2012
Is BPA Safe?
The Swedish government has elected to discontinue the use of bispenol A or BPA, in protective coatings in food packaging for children up to three years old. Though children’s food packaging is currently free of BPA due to the chemical industry volunteering to use BPA alternatives, the decision to ban the endocrine system disrupting chemical guarantees it is phased out permanently. Swedish officials have said they are taking such measures as a “matter of precaution.”
The Swedes would also like the European Union to take a similar approach when addressing the controversial chemical. In fact, Swedish Minister of Environment Lena Ek is on record as saying ”The EU should take more far-reaching initiatives than today to limit children 's exposure to bisphenol A and other known endocrine disruptors.” To its credit, the European Commission has banned the use of BPA in plastic baby feeding bottles in March 2011. BPA is used as a raw material in manufacturing polycarbonates and epoxy compounds. Polycarbonate plastic is a lightweight, high-quality plastic that has a unique balance of toughness, optical clarity, high heat resistance, and excellent electrical resistance. As a result of these traits, polycarbonate is used in an array of common everyday products including digital equipment, electrical and electronic equipment, automobiles, sports safety equipment, reusable food and drink containers, and many other products.
The controversy, however, emanates from a study conducted by the Swedish Chemical Agency (KEMI) and the National Food Agency, which found that they were unable to identify what levels of the product were acceptable for use. KEMI scientists believe that their findings, which stem from animal testing, raises concerns that that fetal BPA-exposure may give effects as the animals get older. The focus on small children comes from animal studies that clearly highlight that it is the fetal and prenatal period that is
References: Burke, Maria. (2012). Sweden bans bpa in food packaging for under-threes Web. Retrieved from http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/News/2012/April/baby-children-food-bpa-ban-sweden.asp Tragger, Rebecca. (2012). FDA backs use of BPA in food packaging Web. Retrieved from http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/News/2012/April/bisphenol-a-bpa-fda-science-food-packaging.asp