How Can BPA Free Not Be BPA Free?

In early 2008, Canada became the first country to outlaw plastic baby bottles and other containers that were manufactured with the chemical bisphenol A (BPA), a hormone disrupter that is believed to cause reproductive damage and can lead to prostate and breast cancer in adulthood. The manufacturers of these plastic containers immediately begin marketing products made of polysulfone, polystyrene and polypropylene, "BPA-free" alternatives made of substitute plastics that are suppose to not contain any bisphenol A (BPA). A recent Health Canada research study announced they have found traces of bisphenol A (BPA) leaching into liquid contained in plastic baby bottles marketed as BPA Free products.

How can BPA Free not be BPA Free when non-polycarbonate plastic manufacturing does not contain any bisphenol A (BPA) chemicals in its process? The manufacturers of the non-polycarbonate plastics products are challenging the Health Canada findings. They agree these are "shocking results." There response has been, "there must be a problem with the way the agency conducted the research." Health Canada researchers reported the "traces of bisphenol A (BPA) found to migrate from these bottles could be artifacts of the manufacturing process." The names of the manufacturers of the plastics that continues to leach BPA and the product brand names which they are marketed under was withheld to avoid negative publicity and the potential financial repercussions that may be generated.

Bisphenol A (BPA) plastics are used in over 70% of all consumer products sold around the world. It is also used exclusively as the can liner in nearly all processed can goods. (BPA) plastics are the largest chemically produced manufactured commodity in the world. The United States Food and Drug Administration have confirmed that Bisphenol A (BPA) contamination does exist, however, testing revealed it is within the acceptable human tolerance levels.

Health Canada scientists begin conducting tests on non-polycarbonate bottles in 2008 after the Canadian government announced its ban on polycarbonate plastic baby bottles and the non-polycarbonate plastics were introduced as the alternative. Their findings and results surprised Health Canada scientists and their colleagues. "The bottle is labeled polypropylene which should not contain any BPA. How can this be? The lead BPA research scientist wrote to a colleague, recommending another analysis be done to "verify his results." A department official's report, characterized the amounts BPA chemical leaching levels in two brands that were tested as "high readings."

On a lighter note, Health Canada research scientist did discover that the "BPA-free" bottles leached less bisphenol A (BPA) chemical in to the liquid contained in them then does the polycarbonate plastic. When testing the bottles, they are placed under conditions designed to simulate repeated normal use. They further concluded that bottles made of polysulfone, polystyrene or polypropylene, non-polycarbonate type (non-PC) are a "reasonable alternative" to the banned polycarbonate (PC) bottles.

Resource: Winnipeg Free Press: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/canada/bpa-free-bottles-leach-chemical-study-52061922.html