BabyHub Online

What is BPA?

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an industrial chemical used to make polycarbonate plastic resins, epoxy resins, and other products.

A growing number of scientists are concluding, from animal tests, that exposure to BPA in the womb raises the risk of certain cancers, hampers fertility and could contribute to childhood behavioral problems such as hyperactivity. A January 2006 Environmental Health Perspectives study on mice indicated that BPA alters the function of mouse pancreatic cells, which produce insulin, suggesting that the chemical may enhance the risk of developing Type II diabetes.

How to Go BPA-free

Read the recycling numbers. If unlabeled, call the manufacturer to ask about the plastic used. Try to avoid #3 PVC, #6 PS, and #7 polycarbonate.

Be cautioned, though, because that is just a recycling code. Code 7 refers to plastics that don’t have recycling potential. It refers to “all other plastics” not included in codes 1-6. Some are also marked with “PC” for polycarbonate.

Neither kind contain BPA. 

Remember that a bottle may not have BPA in it just because it’s not marked as BPA free. Manufacturers are not currently required to label products with the materials they’re made from. If you are unsure, contact the company and ask.

An easy way to identify polycarbonate is to look for hard, shiny, clear plastic. Choose non-toxic baby feeding gear made of polyethylene, polypropylene (recycling symbol #’s 1, 2, 4 or 5), polyamide (PA), polyethersulfone (PES), bamboo, glass or stainless steel. You can find a very helpful BPA Free Bottle and Sippy Cup Cheat Sheets at the links below.

http://safemama.com

What if you love your BPA-containing bottle and aren’t willing to give it up? 

If you do use polycarbonate containers, don’t expose them to heat or harsh detergents. Studies have shown that scratched or worn polycarbonate leaches more BPA, so keep plastic containers away from the microwave and dishwasher and don’t clean stained water bottles or other containers with bleach.

Because the chemical leaches more with heating, wash that bottle by hand and use it for cold liquids.

Here’s some advice from TheCradle.com on bottle care. Baby bottles are more of an issue because they are constantly heated:

http://www.thecradle.com/babybottles

Avoid washing them in a dishwasher (rinse them with warm, soapy water instead). Skip the microwave or sterilizer and toss any bottles that are cracked or cloudy. When in doubt, use glass bottles. “Obviously there is a risk of injury to baby or mom if the bottle is dropped, so glass isn’t a perfect alternative,” says Dr. Brown. “The other option is to buy bottles made of opaque plastic. These bottles (made of polyethylene or polypropylene) do not contain BPA.”