Avis Antel

Bisphenol-A (BPA), a petrochemical derivative, has been under some scrutiny in recent years with concerns that this chemical, by mimicking estrogen, could be causing the earlier onset of puberty in girls, declining sperm counts, and an increased risk of breast and prostate cancers. For this reason, BCAM and like-minded groups have consistently warned of the danger of BPA, a component of polycarbonate plastic used in the manufacture of many hard plastic toys, bottles, and food containers.

The scientific community has also started to warn of the dangers of bisphenol-A and the media has picked up on it. In December 2007, Mountain Equipment Co-op, the country's largest specialty outdoor-goods retailer, pulled most of its polycarbonate plastic food and beverage containers, citing concern over possible health risks. Lululemon Athletica has also discontinued selling these products.

A study published in 2006 demonstrated that "modified versions of bisphenol-A likely to be formed in the body do stimulate breast tumour cell growth in vitro". Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Theodore Widlanski cautioned that their study could not indicate a lack of safety in products such as bottled water, but that they had revealed a mechanism that possibly explains what people have been speculating about for years. In other words, if water stored in BPA containers is not safe, we may now have an explanation of the reason why.

Meanwhile, Health Canada — which has long held that BPA poses no health risks — will release a preliminary report this spring as part of a more comprehensive review of about 200 chemicals singled out for more careful study. Similarly, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says it is reviewing the safety of bisphenol-A while noting that normal BPA exposure is not considered hazardous.

Plastic bottles often have letters or numbers inside the triangle recycling symbol imprinted on the bottom of the bottle. If a bottle has the letters PC inside the triangle, it's definitely a BPA-containing polycarbonate. If there is no number at all, avoid. If it has the number 7 on it, it is often BPA but not always. If unsure, call the manufacturer and ask. If you have to use plastic, choose bottles marked number 2; they are a bit opaque and more pliable.

As we go to press, the media report that many retail outlets (Canadian Tire, The Bay, Zeller's, Home Depot, Wal-mart, Sears, etc.) are pulling BPA products from their shelves in anticipation of Health Canada's report. Health Canada is banning baby bottles containing BPA but is apparently counting on consumer sentiment to get rid of other sources of bisphenol-A.

(Cheri L. Stowell, Kevin K. Barvian, Peter C.M. Young, Robert M. Bigsby, Dawn E. Verdugo, Carolyn R. Bertozzi, and Theodore S. Widlanski "Role for Sulfation-Desulfation in the Uptake of Bisphenol A into Breast Tumor Cells" Chemistry and Biology 2006;13:891-897)