Recent research has raised a slew of potential health concerns associated with plastic bottles and packaging. But what does it mean and do all plastics have the same risks?
According to recent research, food and drinks contained in plastic containers or bottles can contain trace amounts of bisphenol A (BPA). Scientists have found that, in animals, BPA mimics the hormone oestrogen and has been linked to breast and uterine cancer, an increased risk of miscarriage and decreased testosterone levels. It is also believed that BPA can cause early puberty in children, cancer, diabetes and obesity. The amounts leaching into food and drink are small, but it is the cumulative effect of these small doses that are of concern.
What is BPA?
BPA is an industrial chemical used for production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Polycarbonate plastics are high performance transparent, rigid plastic used for food containers such as most transparent drinks bottles, infant feeding (baby) bottles, tableware (plates and mugs) and storage containers.
Epoxy resins are used to make protective coatings and linings for food and beverage cans and vats.
How do you know what has BPA in?
On the bottom of plastic containers there is generally a mobius loop symbol with the number 1 to 7 inside. For details of what is in each category check out our waste essentials article.
Current advice is, if you are concerned about BPA then to avoid category 3, 6 and 7 unless it specifically states on a separate label that the product is BPA free. A number of products labelled BPA free are in Category 7. This is a catch all for several different types of plastic including those that contain BPA as well as those that don’t.
Disposable drinks bottles
Like many people I regularly reuse water bottles. These are typically in the category 1 plastics (P.E.T). There is no BPA in PET bottles. These water bottles are designed to be recycled after use. However, reuse of these bottles is safe providing they are washed well.
Baby bottles
BPA has been banned from use in products for babies in Canada and many US states due to the health concerns. Many baby bottles will contain BPA unless it is specifically stated on the packaging that they are BPA free. This includes the major brands. However manufacturers such as Avent, Tommee Tippee and Pigeon have brought out BPA free alternatives. Although this is not always mentioned on the product itself so look for it on the packaging when you buy it.
How to reduce your exposure
- At your desk drink out of glass instead of clear plastic cups and bottles.
- Get hold of a BPA free plastic or metal drink bottle and refill from the tap.
- Buy from your local greengrocer and butcher. This way you can buy fresh and avoid products which have sat around in plastic packaging.
- Packaging with a category 2 HDPE (high density polyethylene), or a category 4 LDPE (low density polyethylene), or a category 5 PP (polypropylene), labels contain no BPA.
- Choose fresh or frozen food over tinned foods and food in polycarbonate containers.
- Don’t use polycarbonate plastics for warm food or drinks.
- If using baby formula, avoid liquid formula in cans. Powdered formula is better in terms of BPA exposure.
This is a very timely article.. I googled for more and read that a bill has literally just been approved in the US that bans bisphenol A from baby bottles and other food and drink containers.
This ban (if its passed) will cover food and drink containers made with BPA, if they’re intended for children under age 3. Sports water bottles made with the chemical also would be banned. Its here if others want to know more: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2010886966_apwaxgrbisphenolban.html
So Australia still uses BPA?
I just bought a plastic drinking bottle from Woolworths – made in China