What kind of containers have bpa

Here are simple ways to cut the chemical out of your life. Ever heard of BPA? It stands for bisphenol A — and it's a chemical that you and your family are exposed to every day through certain polycarbonate plastics, like water bottles or kids' toys; canned foods; and even cash register receipts. The controversial chemical, which has been detected in the urine of more than 90 percent of Americans, has been linked to extensive health problems in animal studies, including infertility, weight gain, early-onset puberty, prostate and breast cancer, and diabetes.

Although research on its effects on humans is less clear and the American Chemistry Council maintains that current BPA exposure is safe, more and more data points to serious issues. Another recent study , published in Pediatrics , found that higher prenatal exposure was linked to more behavioral problems at age 3, especially for girls. And other concerns are likely to turn up as a result of the extensive research the U.

BPA leaches into your body from certain plastic containers, including polycarbonate tableware, storage containers, and water and baby bottles, and from canned foods the chemical is used in the resin coating on the inside of the can.

Roberts, a mom of three herself. Products are numbered 1 through 7 — and those marked with the number 7 are the main ones to watch out for. Canada banned BPA in baby bottles in , becoming the first country to do so, and a number of U.

Heinze have committed to using BPA-free cans. This seems to happen to a greater degree when the liquid is heated or the container is scratched and rough. BPA is absorbed readily when ingested, but the liver quickly metabolizes the chemical. It is excreted in the urine within 24 hours and does not accumulate in the body.

In other words, if someone had a single exposure, it would be entirely gone from the body after a day. Repeated exposures are necessary to have measurable levels on a regular basis.

In , the U. BPA was detected in the urine of 93 percent of samples. There can be some environmental exposure, for example from industrial processes and recycling, but these exposures are not considered to be significant under usual circumstances.

Most of the information we have about possible health effects of BPA exposure is from studies in animals. Published animal studies number at least in the hundreds and perhaps in the thousands. The National Toxicology Program NTP of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences published its evaluation of the potential for adverse effects on human reproduction and development, based on a review of the available literature.

NTP summarized what it considered to be relevant animal studies. In assessing these studies, "high" and "low" daily doses, based on the animals' body weight, were determined.

Following is an abbreviated summary of NTP findings from animal studies:. After evaluating hundreds of studies, NTP noted that enough studies point to effects of BPA on the brain, reproductive tracts, and behavior to raise concerns for possible risks to humans. It further notes that there are so many different types of studies and study designs that their actual relevance to humans cannot be entirely characterized. NTP also evaluated studies in humans seeking to determine if BPA exposure affects reproduction or development.

It noted that there are only a small number of studies; these cannot be directly compared because of dissimilar study design, small sample sizes, and other factors. Of the small number of published studies, there are a few which report associations between BPA exposures, as measured in blood or urine, and health effects, such as:.

NTP concludes that available studies do not provide enough evidence to determine if BPA causes effects on reproduction in adults. It also concludes that there is not enough evidence to determine if there are developmental effects on children who are exposed to BPA prenatally or during early life.

There are differences of opinion among researchers, health care providers, and parents and consumers about how much weight to accord the many different types of research findings. The chemical industry argues that BPA has been used in consumer products for more than fifty years, it has been approved for food applications by many developed countries, and that human health effects have not been documented.

Some scientists argue that there are too many differences among studies, and too many differences between humans and the animals studied, to draw conclusions. They note, for example, that rats metabolize BPA differently from humans and that infants, children, and adults metabolize BPA differently from each other.

Some highlight the fact that hormones produced naturally in the body have different effects at high and low levels and that studies of BPA administered at high levels may not accurately reflect toxic effects of low-level exposure. They also note that comparing studies with different purposes, designs, subjects, amounts and routes of BPA exposure, and endpoints does not lead to convincing data.

Other scientists, along with some health care providers, parents, and consumers argue that the animal data are sufficiently compelling to act aggressively to limit human exposure. They note that the absence of documented effects does not mean that there are no effects, and further note that proving "no effect" is a very high standard, especially when discussing human health, and — more particularly — the health of children.

The plastics industry has already eliminated BPA in most baby bottles. It is also now possible to buy drinking bottles labeled "BPA free". There are efforts to develop linings for food and formula cans that do not contain BPA.

It's important to note, though, that maintaining canned food in a condition safe for human consumption remains essential.

In addition, the U. Food and Drug Administration FDA recognizes that a safe source of nutrition for infants is a priority that currently outweighs possible concerns about BPA in infant formulas or foods for children.

While this evaluation is occurring, FDA is also taking steps to limit human exposure to BPA by supporting of industry efforts to limit or eliminate BPA in food can linings and infant bottles. January , the FDA revised its position on BPA's safety, noting "some concern" about its effects on children and infants.

Before July , some retailers voluntarily sold BPA-free products. Otherwise, we recommend replacing them. Skip to main content. BPA Bisphenol A, or BPA , is a chemical used to make a hard clear plastic called polycarbonate, some sealants, and thermal paper such as the paper used to print cash register receipts.

What products have BPA? Canned foods, because most metal cans are lined with a sealant containing BPA. Sports water bottles may contain BPA if bought before July Baby bottles, sippy cups and other containers designed for children 3 years old and younger may contain BPA if bought before July Baby pacifiers Other hard, clear plastic food or beverage containers.

This symbol means it may contain BPA. Cash register receipts. Ultimately this type of work could lead to better toxicology testing, says Hunt. The final results of their tests will be released Thursday, after this story is published. But scientists are already perturbed by the draft report released last February that details the regulatory side of the results. The FDA did not reply to a request for comment.

The latest study found that if the researchers stopped dosing the mice with BPA alternatives, the males returned to normal in just four generations. Consumers can also take steps to avoid BPA alternatives entirely, notes Trasande. He suggests steering clear of plastics with the recycling numbers 3, 6, and 7, which all contain compounds of concern. Throw away plastic when it looks aged or scratched. And opt for glass or steel containers rather than lined aluminum cans whenever possible.

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