A number of studies have linked exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) with an increased risk of heart disease. BPA is often used in plastic manufacture and is commonly found in clear plastic water bottles, plastic food containers, and in canned food goods where it is used as a liner to prevent container breakdown. Sponsored and promoted by the American Heart Association, February is American Heart Month and February 6th is National Go Red for Women Day (also known as National Wear Red Day). In honor of these events, Living the Science is launching a two week-long series focused on examining the role that chemical exposures play in heart health.

In one of the largest studies done on the topic to date, in September 2008 the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) published results by Iain Lang and colleagues who discovered that men and women with above average levels of urinary BPA were at a 28 to 40% increased risk for cardiovascular disease as indicted by diagnosed angina, coronary heart disease, or history of a heart attack. Findings were based on data from the 2003-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. For the study researchers measured urinary BPA in 1455 adults between the ages of 18 and 74. Results were found to persist after adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, income, body mass index, and waist circumference.

Consumers can reduce their exposure to BPA  by using stainless steel, aluminum or BPA free plastic water bottles, glass, metal or BPA free plastic food storage and heating containers, and by buying fresh or jarred food instead of canned. Child exposure can be further reduced by using only BPA free bottles and by buying naturally made or BPA free plastic toys.

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Read more about BPA

Read more about avoiding BPA by avoiding bottled water

Read more about avoiding BPA by using safer plastics

Stainless Steel Water Bottles

Aluminum Water Bottles

BPA Free Plastic Water Bottles

Glass Storage Containers

BPA Free Plastic Storage Containers

BPA Free Baby Bottles

BPA Free Baby Products

BPA Free Toys

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• Chemicals Commonly Used in Personal Products Linked to Infertility
• Mercury Found in Many Popular Consumer Food