BPA Declared Toxic in Canada: What's Next?

In the President's Council Panel Report, Bisphenol A, more commonly known as BPA, was found to be "an environmental threat that could potentially cause cancer." It goes on to say, "Children are especially susceptible to the dangers of chemicals because of their small size and rapid development," and they recommend that we, "store and serve food in stainless steel or glass, or BPA and phalate-free plastics." We know that baby bottles and "sippy" cups containing BPA were taken off the market by many leading manufacturers. Others stopped voluntarily using the chemical in their products, but in a historic step, Canada recently declared BPA to be "toxic." What does this mean for the future of BPA in Canada and the US?

What is BPA?

Commonly seen on labels as #7 plastics, BPA is an "endocrine disrupter that mimics estrogen." It has been linked to chromosomal disruption, lower sperm counts, miscarriages, birth defects, and obesity. Then there's #3 plastic, also known as vinyl plastics, that is used in many food containers. These are believed to leak dioxins, including DEHP and DEHA, and others that are linked to liver, kidney, and testicular problems. It has been used in everything from storage containers for food to toys. It is found in cash register receipts and resins that coat many food cans.

The road to declaring BPA as toxic in Canada

Canada began its crackdown on BPA early on and initiated control measures of its use starting in 2008. However, recent research shows that measurable levels of BPA were found in the urine of 91 per cent of Canadians aged six to 79.

According to Bruce Lanphear, a senior scientist at the child and family research institute at B.C. Children's Hospital, "There is no smoking gun indicating how dangerous BPA is, but the evidence is adding up. Studies in animal models are quite concerning,' and raise questions about prostate disease, breast cancer, fertility issues and behavior problems in children."

"The risk assessment of BPA put together by our federal government is very strong in terms of its conclusions, so I think it's a foregone conclusion that it will drive further action rather quickly," said Rick Smith, executive director of Environmental Defence, which campaigned to ban BPA.

According to a report in the Canada Gazette:

"Concern for neurobehavioural effects in newborns and infants was suggested from the neurodevelopmental and behavioural data set in rodents. Given that available data indicate potential sensitivity to the pregnant woman/fetus and infant, and that animal studies suggest a trend towards heightened susceptibility during stages of development in rodents, it was considered appropriate to apply a precautionary approach when characterizing risk to human health. Therefore, it was concluded that Bisphenol A should be considered as a substance that may be entering the environment in a quantity or concentration or under conditions that constitute or may constitute a danger in Canada to human life or health" (excerpt from the Canada Gazette explaining the decision).

The Canadian federal government stated, "Health Canada considers that sufficient evidence relating to human health has been presented to justify the conclusion that Bisphenol A is harmful to human life and should be added to Schedule 1 of [the Canadian Environmental Protection Act]."

What does this mean for the future of BPA in Canada?

The listing doesn't mean that all BPA will need to be banned immediately-Canadian officials said "that the declaration would be the first in a multi-step process to better regulate BPA. By listing the chemical as toxic, it's easier for officials to ban the use of BPA in specific products through regulations, rather than amending laws or writing new legislation. Canada has already banned BPA in baby bottles, and this new listing will likely bring an end to food-related uses for BPA, in bottles and possibly cans as well" (Canada Gazette).

According to Rick Smith, executive director of the Toronto advocacy group Environmental Defense, "It's a great victory for every mom and dad who sent a letter to their MP demanding that the federal government do a better job protecting the health of Canadians."

What does the US say about BPA?

In addition to the President's Council Panel Report, those who advocate the Kids Safe Chemical Act want to eliminate this particular chemical from use. However, according to Steven Hentges of the American Chemistry Council, a Washington-based industry group that represents plastics makers, this declaration by Canada is "unwarranted and unnecessary." In his statement, Hentges says, "Just days after the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) once again confirmed that BPA is safe for use in food-contact items, Environment Canada's announcement is contrary to the weight of worldwide scientific evidence, unwarranted and will unnecessarily confuse and alarm the public."

There are organizations, such as the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and the Endocrine Society in the United States that have been attempting to restrict or ban the use of BPA in products, citing the potential risk to our health. However, the government (through the Environmental Protection Agency) has not banned the use of BPA, nor have manufacturers stopped using it.

Concern is on the rise though as seen by many parents who took advantage of the opportunity to trade in their old bottles and toddler cups for those that did not contain BPA, and for those who are using Eco-friendly alternatives to food storage.

In the meantime, savvy shoppers, whether "environmentalists" or not, have started carefully reading the labels of many of their products. They look for words like "phthalates" and the numbers "3," "6," and "7." There are alternatives out there, but not everyone takes advantage of them. It does make one wonder if we can live in a plastic-free world.