The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has issued a public health advisory for consumers concerning the use of bisphenol A (BPA) in common consumer goods. The advisory targets babies and children up to two years of age as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Given the growing body of research linking BPA exposure to health problems in vulnerable populations, Massachusetts public health personnel are advising caretakers, parents, and pregnant women to avoid the use of products that contain BPA when making or storing food products.

This latest move by a states department of health follows several other steps adopted by states and cities which aim to limit BPA exposure in sensitive populations. For example, within the past year legislators in Chicago and in Suffolk County, New York voted to ban the sale of bottles and/or sippy cups that contain BPA.

Given growing data showing a link between BPA exposure and health problems, in June, Democrats on the US 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. Hamburg agreed to the review results of which are expected to be released sometime in August.

 

 

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

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Recommended Steps to Avoid Common Routes of BPA Exposure:
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... ."