On Tuesday, Democrats in on the House Energy and Commerce Committee sent a letter to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Margaret Hamburg asking the agency to review its August report which said that bisphenol A (BPA) was safe at the levels commonly used to make plastic bottles and containers. On Wednesday, Hamburg agreed to the review.

 

The August report by the FDA has been criticized since its release by scientists inside and outside the agency who say that the FDA weighted BPA industry data more heavily than independent study data. Hamburg has said that the agency's acting chief scientist will be in charge of the review and expects it to be completed by early Fall.

 

The request by congress comes on the heels of the adoption of bans on the use of BPA in baby bottles and some other food containers in Minnesota and Chicago. A similar ban was was adopted in New Jersey several months back.

 

Moves by states, cities and now the Federal government towards regulating the use of BPA largely stem from  the presence of more and more scientific studies demonstrating a link between BPA exposore and health effects and from the associated public outcry.

 

Over the past year large population-based studies have been published showing a link between BPA exposure and increased rates of heart disease and diabetes. Previous research has shown a link between BPA exposure and obesity and BPA exposure and endocrine abnormalities in women and infants. BPA is an endocrine disrupter and as such, it is able to mimic a bodies own hormones.

 

Consumers can avoid BPA exposure by consuming beverages from glassware and stainless steel bottles and by using glass or metal containers for food storage and ceramic or glass containers for microwave heating. Avoiding certain plastic wraps during storage and heating can also reduce BPA exposure levels.

 

Using BPA free plastics is especially important for pregnant women, breastfeeding women, babies, and young children given data suggesting an increased risk of associated health effects for these groups.

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What's In This Stuff?: The Hidden Toxins in Everyday Products - and What You Can Do About Them

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Buy a stainless steel water bottle - or two, three ...

"Having some of these around will prevent you from buying the small plastic water bottles. You will avoid the BPA exposure and do the planet a favor. Prices range from about $10 to $40. Amazon.com has pretty good prices but you can pick them up just about anywhere."

 

Make sure you have plenty of non plastic food containers. around

"Having glass storage containers around is your insurance policy against heating things up in plastics which can leach BPA.  Again, Amazon.com has pretty good darn prices on these but you can pick up sets at Target, Walmart etc... ."