Maria D. Velazquez
Introduction to the Sciences
Prof. Talley
My selected chemical is BPA. So, let’s start by talking what is BPA is a chemical that is added to plastic to harden them while keeping them light. BPA plays the role as an industrial chemical that has been used to make certain plastics and resins since the 1960s. BPA is found in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Polycarbonate plastics are used in the containers of what we eat and drink. Epoxy resins are used to coat the inside of metal products, such as food cans, bottle tops and water supply lines. Some dental sealants and composites also may contain BPA. Research shows that BPA can seep into food or beverages from containers that are made with BPA. Exposure to BPA is a concern because of possible health effects of BPA on the brain, behavior and prostate gland of fetuses, infants and children. BPA is part of our modern world because is everywhere, water bottles, veggies cans, milk gallons, baby bottles, even in medicine bottles. The funny part is that 90% of us has BPA in our bodies.
However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has said that BPA is safe at the very low levels that occur in some foods. This assessment is based on review of hundreds of studies. But in 2010 the FDA changed their position because with the standardize test they can’t find evident conclusion, then again the problem is that other independent studies show the harms of BPA, and this is how they raise “some concern”. Instead of the government doing something, the companies are, the companies of baby bottles, formula, bottled water and canned goods offer BPA-free containers in an effort to regain the trust of the customers.
From my research this is what the government is doing, they are doing some research and maybe the regulations will change in the next couple of years. And they have only been given support to the companies that are adopting the change of components. There are many states that are changing the law in this matter. CT, MD, MN, WA, WI, VT, NY and IL have made the movements to change the law. In OH there have not been many movements nor the government have try to legislate and regulate the use of BPA in the products that are made and sold in the state. Here are some things that we can do in order to minimize or avoid exposure: 1. Look for BPA-free products. 2. Cut back on cans. Try to buy products in glass containers. 3. Avoid using the microwave with these products. 4. Use less canned food and more fresh or frozen. 5. Avoid plastic with number 3 or 7 on the bottom.
I believe that chemicals should be more regulated in every state because it a disadvantage for us that there are not regulations in our state on this matter. Aside from the fact that we have to be scrutinizing every single thing that we buy trying to get our family as healthy as we can. Labeling is not enough because there are things that in some cases if are less than one % the companies does not have to noted them and that is a harm to everybody.
References
http://www.mayoclinic.org
http://www.webmd.com/children/environmental-exposure-head2toe/bpa