New study adds to alarms over baby bottles
Leaching chemical from plastic linked to host of health problems
Michelle Lalonde , Canwest News Service
A study to be made public on Thursday morning on health risks posed by some of the most popular baby bottles sold in Canada is expected to add another ominous chime to the steady chorus of alarm bells sounded recently by researchers about bisphenol-A.
The hormone-disrupting chemical, also called BPA, is used in most plastic baby bottles, some reusable sports bottles, resins used to line food cans, and plastic food and drink containers.
Today, Environmental Defence, a Canadian environmental group based in Toronto, is releasing a study looking at how much of this chemical leaches out of the most popular brands of baby bottles under real-life conditions.
The study is expected to bring more bad news for bottle manufacturers and parents alike.
In recent years, a growing number of researchers around the world have concluded studies linking BPA exposure to a host of health problems, including obesity, breast and prostate cancer, Type 2 diabetes, behavioural problems, early onset of puberty, fertility problems and multiple miscarriages.
The plastics industry insists the chemical is safe and claims most of the studies pointing to harm were done on animals. But many scientists say the research points to a risk to humans, particularly for the developing fetus, infants and children.
"The case against this chemical in plastic is now so overwhelming that I expect to see Canadian retailers stepping up to the plate and taking them off the shelves," said Rick Smith, executive director of Environmental Defence.
Some retailers, including Mountain Equipment Co-op, have already stopped selling polycarbonate plastic sports bottles.
Sports clothing store Lululemon has said it will not reorder the bottles.
Last week, researchers at the University of Cincinnati published a study showing BPA leaches out of plastic bottles in higher quantities at higher temperatures. That study caused great concern among parents, especially those who routinely heat baby's milk or formula in a plastic bottle in a microwave, or simply put warmed milk into the bottle.
A study in December showed BPA is used in the resin lining of canned infant formula, and other studies have shown BPA can leach into the formula.
© The Calgary Herald 2008 |
