There have been many new studies pertaining to plastics and the chemical bisphenol A (BPA) and how it leads to many health issues. I have covered this topic before but seriously guys…it’s time to make some changes if you haven’t already.

This chemical is most found in plastic food containers, disposable cup, utensils, and plates, canned foods, and children’s toys!

Here are a few rules to limit your exposure:

1. buy tomato products in glass jars not cans (tomatoes are very acidic and cause higher levels of BPA to leach into your food)

2. eat more fresh fruits and vegi’s (stop buying canned foods)

3. drink beverages out of glass or food grade stainless silver containers.

4. use powered infant formulas instead of ready-to-serve (these contain less BPA)

5. use moderation (use and eat more products with less BPA)

Plastic is so prevalent that according to a Centers for Disease Control (CDC) study, BPA was detected in the urine of 95 percent of people tested!

This is alarming when you consider the problems it’s been linked to, including:

• Structural damage to your brain
• Hyperactivity, increased aggressiveness, and impaired learning
• Increased fat formation and risk of obesity
• Altered immune function
• Early puberty, stimulation of mammary gland development, disrupted reproductive cycles, and ovarian dysfunction
• Changes in gender-specific behavior, and abnormal sexual behavior
• Stimulation of prostate cancer cells
• Increased prostate size, and decreased sperm production

Independent laboratory tests conducted by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) detected BPA in over half of 97 cans of name-brand fruit, vegetables, soda, and other commonly eaten canned goods.

There are no government safety standards limiting the amount of BPA in canned food, and the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) safety standard is 25 times the dose NOW KNOWN to cause birth defects in lab studies. Their safety standard for BPA has not been updated for 20 years.

As usual those most at risk are children and fetuses, which is why it’s appalling to think that these chemicals are commonly used in everything from the infant formula, to the bottle it’s served in, to the teething rings, and the toys your baby plays with on a daily basis.

Sadly, of all foods tested, infant formula was among the top three foods that had BPA levels of highest concern.

Just one to three servings was found to contain BPA levels that have caused serious adverse effects in animal tests. And, for 1 in 3 cans of infant formula, a single serving was found to contain enough BPA to expose an infant to BPA levels more than 200 times the government’s traditional “safe” level of exposure for industrial chemicals!

10 More Tips to Reduce Your Exposure to BPA

1.    Only use glass baby bottles and dishes for your baby

2.    Get rid of your plastic dishes and cups, and replace them with glass varieties

3.    Give your baby natural fabric toys instead of plastic ones

4.    Store your food and beverages in glass — NOT plastic — containers

5.    IF you choose to use a microwave, don’t microwave food in a plastic container (might I recommend getting rid of your microwave)

6.    Use glass, ceramic, or stainless steel travel coffee mugs rather than plastic or Styrofoam coffee cups

7.    Avoid using plastic wrap (and never microwave anything covered in it)

8.    If you opt to use plastic kitchenware, at least get rid of the older, scratched-up varieties, avoid putting them in the dishwasher, and don’t wash them with harsh detergents, as these things can cause more chemicals to leach into your food

9.    Avoid using bottled water; filter your own using a reverse osmosis filter instead

10. Before allowing a dental sealant to be applied to your, or your children’s, teeth, ask your dentist to verify that it does not contain BPA

In the event that you do opt to use plastic containers for your food or beverages, be sure to avoid those marked on the bottom with the recycling label No. 7, as these varieties may contain BPA.

Containers marked with the recycling labels No. 1, No. 2, and No. 4 do not contain BPA (however they contain other unsavory chemicals that you’re best off avoiding by using glass instead). If in doubt, remember this handy saying from The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy:

“With your food, use 4, 5, 1 and 2. All the rest aren’t good for you.”