Over the past couple of years, there has been much controversy about the little-understood chemical, Bisphenol A (BPA).
The compound is the source of much debate, and this is in part due to the fact that scientists simply cannot agree if it is harmful or not. Numerous studies have been conducted over the past few decades but with varying results. This led many lawmakers and companies to err on the side of caution and attempt to limit the public’s exposure to the chemical, particularly among children.
Bisphenol A is a chemical used to make polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Polycarbonate is used to make common household items like baby bottles and water bottles. Epoxy resin is used to coat the inside of cans for canned foods.
Infants and small children are estimated to have the highest level of exposure to BPA due to its prevalence in baby bottles and canned formula. They are also especially vulnerable because they are less able to eliminate foreign chemicals from their bodies. Because of this the majority efforts to limit BPA exposure have been directed at children’s products like baby bottles and canned formula.
Manufacturers began using BPA in plastics in the 1940s, but it did not draw controversy until several decades later. In 1982, the National Toxicology Program (NTP) did a study to determine the possible harmful effects of BPA. Scientists tested large doses of BPA on mice and found several negative side effects. However, they did not test the effects of consuming relatively low doses of BPA. As a result, the NTP found that ingesting low doses of BPA were not harmful, and the EPA set daily intake standards for BPA.
In the coming years, other studies began to investigate the potential harms of low doses of BPA. Although scientists have not come to a consensus, the studies showing harmful affects of BPA have received much media attention. The California State Legislature proposed a ban of BPA in children’s products in September 2008, but it failed to pass. In 2009, twenty different U.S. states introduced legislation to try to limit children’s exposure to BPA. The FDA and the NTP have both now declared that they have “some concern” about the effects that BPA has on people. However, no federal regulation has been implemented thus far.
European scientists and lawmakers have been just as split on the issue as Americans, but in January 2011, the European Union banned polycarbonate baby bottles that contained BPA. The ban included the manufacturing of baby bottles containing BPA as well as the sales and marketing of such products.
Canada has been the most aggressive country in limiting the public’s exposure to BPA. The Canadian government banned BPA in baby bottles and canned formula back in 2008, and the final phase out of the chemical was complete in March 2010.
Due to heightened media attention and controversy, many corporations and retailers have voluntarily stopped making or selling products with BPA. Fortunately, LA Container is one of those companies. All of our polypropylene and polyethylene containers are BPA free and can be purchased through our online container store.