Water/Bottles = Not safe ??

I have been seeing these articles more and more lately...it makes you wonder about drinking out of plastic in general!??

Much LUV 

Report Probes Safety of Plastic Chemical

By MATTHEW PERRONE, AP Posted: 2008-04-15 19:49:47 Filed Under: Recalls WASHINGTON (April 15) - A chemical used to make baby bottles and other shatterproof plastic containers could be linked to a range of hormonal problems, a preliminary government report has found.

The report was greeted by some environmental groups as confirmation of their concerns, while chemical makers latched on to the report's preliminary nature and its authors' warning against drawing overly worrisome conclusions.

The federal National Toxicology Program said Tuesday that experiments on rats found precancerous tumors, urinary tract problems and early puberty when the animals were fed or injected with low doses of the plastics chemical bisphenol A.

While such animal studies only provide "limited evidence" of bisphenol's developmental risks, the group's draft report stresses the possible effects on humans "cannot be dismissed." The group is made up of scientists from the Centers for Disease Control, the Food and Drug Administration and the Institutes of Health.

More than 90 percent of Americans are exposed to trace amounts of bisphenol, according to the CDC. The chemical leaches out of water bottles, the lining of cans and other items made with it.

The American Chemistry Council, which represents manufacturers, said the report "affirms that there are no serious or high level concerns for adverse effects of bisphenol on human reproduction and development." Among the manufacturers of bisphenol are Dow Chemical  Co. and BASF  Group.

The group said it supports additional research to determine whether adverse effects seen in animals "are of any significance to human health."

Environmentalists, meanwhile, hailed the report as the first step toward reassessing a chemical they believe could contribute to cancer and other health problems.

"We're hoping this decision will force FDA to recognize the toxicity of this chemical and make manufacturers set a safety standard that's protective of the most vulnerable populations," said Dr. Anila Jacobs of the Environmental Working Group.

The toxicology group's findings echo those of researchers assembled by the National Institutes of Health, who last August called for more research on bisphenol in humans.

The FDA in November said there is "no reason at this time to ban or otherwise restrict its use." The agency on Tuesday did not immediately have any comment about the new report.

But growing concern about the chemical has pushed many consumers toward glass alternatives, and triggered investigations by state and federal lawmakers.

Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., called on FDA Tuesday to reconsider the safety of bisphenol, saying the toxicology report's findings "fly in the face of the FDA's determination."

Dingell, who chairs the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued letters to seven companies that make baby formulations earlier this year, questioning whether they use bisphenol in the lining of their cans and bottles.

The companies included Hain Celestial Group, Nestle USA and Abbott Laboratories.

A spokeswoman for the International Formula Council, which represents baby food makers, said Tuesday "the overwhelming scientific evidence supports the safety" of bisphenol, adding that no foreign governments have restricted or banned its use.

The National Toxicology Program will take public comments on its initial report through May. A final version will be issued this summer.

Earlier this month state lawmakers in New Jersey passed a bill that would ban the sale of all products containing bisphenol.

Canada's health agency is also examining the health risks of bisphenol is expected to issue its findings in coming days.

bumping ...

 

Bon Voyage, Bisphenol A

Filed under: Bisphenol A 6:31 pm - April 22, 2008

The landscape of plastics endured a seismic shock last week--the National Toxicology Program (NTP) issued a draft report noting that bisphenol A (BPA), the major compound in polycarbonate plastic used in water bottles, baby bottles and as a liner in many canned foods may possibly affect human development or reproduction. This finding resulted from animal studies, which "show that exposure to high-dose levels of bisphenol A during pregnancy and/or lactation can reduce survival, birth weight and growth of offspring early in life, and delay the onset of puberty in males and females."

While the dose levels tested on animals are higher than those found in people, much lower doses in animal studies also showed limited evidence for adverse health effects, including precancerous lesions, developmental and behavior changes and early onset of puberty in female rodents. The NTP report concludes that "the possibility that bisphenol A may alter human development cannot be dismissed."

North of the border, the Canadian government has provided a more definitive response. Late last week, the ministers of health and environment issued a statement that having completed a risk asssessment of BPA, Canada would take immediate action to ensure that "families, Canadians and our environment are not exposed to a potentially harmful chemical." The Canadian government is now determining whether it will ban the importation, sale and advertising of polycarbonate baby bottles, which are made of BPA.

For its part, the industry response has been meaningful: Both Nalgene, which produces the most popular reusable plastic water bottle in the U.S., and Playtex, which makes baby products, have announced they will stop using BPA. Wal-Mart has said it is putting an immediate halt to Canadian sales of polycarbonate baby bottles, sippy cups, pacifiers, food containers and water bottles. Toys "R" Us will stop selling PC baby bottles in Canada and the US early next year. In the U.S., Wal-Mart will stop selling PC baby bottles early next year.

Until polycarbonate-free bottles are common on store shelves, here are resources to help you track down better products:

Baby Bottles Buying Guide

"The Bisphenol-A Debate: A Suspect Chemical in Plastic Bottles and Cans"

And for more on BPA see:

The Adventure Life with Steve Casimiro

Greenerpenny.com