It’s the 21st century and everything is plastic, right? It’s cheap, convenient, lightweight, versatile, and omnipotent. Even the word plastic is derived from a Greek phrase meaning “able to be shaped or molded.” Everything from car parts to food containers is made from plastic, and many plastic products are marked as disposable, which is the main point if concern for many consumers looking to reduce their carbon footprint. Despite the desire of many eco-friendly folks to stop using plastic, we’re seeing new kinds developed and marketed every day.

The last few years have been plagued with news reports about BPA and how horrible it is… But does anyone ever tell us why we’re supposed to fear this three-letter mystery? Why every plastic object these days proudly boasts “BPA Free?” Nope, they just glaze right over it. Well, I hate not knowing why I buy things – let’s talk about BPA (& why it’s apparently evil)!

What is plastic?

Is it made from plants? Animals? Magic? Plastic comes in so many shapes, sizes, and strengths, it’s almost impossible to figure out what it’s made from just by thinking about it. So where does it come from?

Short answer: petroleum and natural gas. Pretty simple, right? Well… unfortunately, it gets a bit more complex after we settle the two main ingredients. But yes, technically plastic comes from two naturally occurring substances.

There are two main types of plastics: thermoplastics and thermosetting polymers.

Thermoplastics (aka thermosoftening plastics): These types of plastics, when heated, turn to a liquid and turn to a glassy, solid when cooled (or “frozen”). These types of plastics can be heated to a llquid state and remolded into something else. Common types of thermoplastics include acrylic, celluloid (often called “the first thermoplastic” – you’d probably recognize it as a guitar pick), polyamide (aka nylon), polyester, and polyvinyl chloride (aka PVC).

Thermosetting polymers (aka thermoset): This type of plastic start as a liquid and set to a solid state (or “cure”) permanently. “Curing” can be initiated by heat or radiation. A cured thermosetting polymer is called a thermoset. Common types of thermosets are adhesives, Bakelite (when it was legal, anyway), Urea-formeldahyde (which is used to make plywood, and particleboard), vulcanized rubber and many types of synthetic rubber.

Wow, loads of boring info that you just can’t unlearn! Science! You’ll thank me when you’re older.

What is BPA?

BPA stands for Bisphenol-A, which is a component of polycarbonate (found in many things, including plastic bottles and CD/DVDs)  and epoxy resins (found in paint, adhesives and fiberglass).

BPA was first synthesized in 1891 in Russia by a chemist named A.P. Dianin. It’s been used to make commercial-grade plastics since 1957, and is most commonly used in clear, shatterproof plastic called polycarbonate plastic. This is then used to make things like plastic bottles, sports equipment, baby bottles, dental fillings, eyeglass lenses, and a plethora of other everyday items. When it’s not being used to create polycarbonate plastics, it’s being used to create epoxy resin products – which line the inside of almost all food and beverage cans and water pipes.

Fun fact: BPA has also been used as a fungicide. Yummy.

Why is BPA bad?

BPA is classified as an endocrine disruptor, which means they mess with your body’s hormones. BPA has the ability to mimic your hormones which can confused the body and follow BPA’s directions instead of your body’s natural directions. A 2011 study showed that 98% of women had been exposed to the chemical.

Studies have shown that the younger you are when you’re exposed to BPA, the worse chance you have of being negatively affected by it. There is also a chance that it can “bioaccumulate” during pregnancy, meaning it concentrates inside the body of pregnant women.

In a 2007 study, scientists found the exposing subjects to BPA resulted in 153 displays of adverse health effects and 14 subject who showed none. The subjects who were negatively affected experienced the majority of the adverse effects through their offspring, who displayed “abnormal” weight gain, resistance to insulin, and prostate cancer.

There have been many connections made between BPA and obesity, as well as many studies conducted whose conclusions indicate that removing BPA exposure has the potential to reduce body weight, and the chance of obesity.

Let’s not forget all of the fun neurological effects that BPA has on children, either! Many scientists are sure that BPA exposure can have effects on fetal and infant brain mechanisms and development. In mice, BPA has been linked to hyperactivity, attention deficit, ability to learn and remember, and disruption of thyroid horomones

In 2008, an article in a chemistry journal concluded that BPA alters breast development and increases risk of breast cancer. In 2010, a study suggested that BPA exposure could reduce the body’s sensitivity to some chemotherapy treatments.

Being that BPA is an endocrine disruptor, the list of potential ways it can mess with your body is miles and miles long. Suffice to say that exposing your body to BPA is generally not safe.

Where can I find BPA?

Source

BPA can be found in a lot of places that we don’t think to be concerned about. Remember – while BPA can be ingested, it can also be absorbed through the skin. Here are some of the more common products in which BPA has been found in measurable levels:

• Plastic water bottles
• Baby formula bottles
• The lining inside of food cans
• The lining inside of canned beverages (it’s been found in soft drinks)
• Cat & dog food cans
• Foods packaged in clear plastic
• Thermal paper (receipts, movie tickets, etc.) & carbonless copy paper
• Water supply pipes

“In general, plastics that are marked with recycle codes 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 are very unlikely to contain BPA. Some, but not all, plastics that are marked with recycle codes 3 or 7 may be made with BPA.” (Source: US Department of Health & Human Services)

Some specific plastics have been tagged as “higher risk” for BPA. Look for these stamps on your plastic products, though they are not the only plastics that have potential for BPA.

Recycle Plastic Type 3 stands for PVC plastic. While there are both solid and flexible types of PVC, only the flexible have the higher risk for BPA.

Recycle Plastic Type 7 is what’s referred to as a “catch-all” recycle code, which means it’s kind of a wild card stamp for plastics that don’t have a larger category. While not all the plastics will be harmful, some may have more BPA than others. The US Dept. of Health & Human Services says that “polycarbonate containers that contain BPA usually have a number 7 on the bottom.”

How do I avoid BPA?

Because of plastic’s relationship with heat, there are several tips on how to minimize the risk of BPA contamination by altering the way you use your current plastic products, and by changing some habits at home:

• Don’t microwave your plastic containers. Whether it’s pre-packaged food, or your best food storage container – keep it out of the microwave! The heat from microwave will affect the thermoplastic substance (yeah, remember that from 1000 words ago?) which – even after it’s become solid – can re-melt and turn back into a liquid, getting into your food and therefore getting into your body. Need to heat something? Reach for glass, porcelain, or stainless steel (but not in the microwave – c’mon!)
• Eat fresh. Try ditching the canned food and go for the fresh stuff. Because the lining of nearly all canned food and beverage are covered in the epoxy resin that contains BPA, the more canned food you eat, the more BPA you’re exposing yourself to. Here is a list of canned food products that do not contain BPA. Fortunately, as the media continues to pick up new stories about the harmful effects of BPA, there are many new methods of developing BPA-free products to use instead.

For extra points, use local, organic food services like Spud, Urban Organic (NY), Greenling (TX), Door to Door (Midwest) or Farm Fresh to You (CA) to support farmers and ensure high quality ingredients. 

Also, thanks to the increasing media coverage and BPA awareness, companies have started placing a BPA Free label on newer products that have been created without this potentially harmful chemical.

Vessel Drinkware’s porcelain coffee mug and BPA-free acrylic tumbler

Here are some of our favorite BPA Free products:

• Vessel Drinkware creates gorgeous tumblers and travel cups
• Klean Kanteen makes stainless steel water bottles with BPA free materials
• Preserve Products (great food containers, dishware and personal items that are eco-friendly – 100% recycled!)
• Fig Tree Boutique makes BPA Free, reusable sandwich bags (and they’re very, very cute)
• Mimijumi offers BPA-free baby bottles
• Nalgene creates fantastically durable water bottles (one of which I have been hydrating myself with while writing this post!)

No one should have to use BPA-laden products that could cause harmful health issues to you and your family.

Plastic is scary enough! Do your best to educate yourself on the types of plastics in your home, and how you can improve your quality of life through selective, thoughtful purchases. Stay tuned to Awakened Aesthetic for BPA-free and eco-friendly housewares!

Tags: bisphenol-A, bpa free, health issues, plastic, plastics, polycarbonate

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