There’s been a lot of media attention lately placed on the safety, or non-safety, of ingesting foods and beverages packaged in polycarbonate containers made from the chemical bisphenol A (BPA).  BPA is most often found in baby bottles and water bottles but many other edibles are packaged in containers made from BPA, too.

Earlier this week, the US National Toxicology Program (NTP) issued a report that identifies “some concern” over the safety of BPA-laced products, especially when using these containers to feed infants and small children.  Of most concern in the NTP report is the possible connection between BPA exposure and developmental or reproductive disorders.  Animal tests also indicate a possible link to breast and prostate cancers.

Last week, the Canadian government announced the commencement of a 60-day period inviting public and industry feedback with regard to BPA-containing products.  There is the potential for a nationwide ban on baby bottles that contain BPA but that decision will likely come after the 60-day commentary period has ended.  Meanwhile, many of the country’s largest retailers, including Wal-Mart Canada and Sears, have removed all products that contain BPA from their stores’ shelves.

Nalgene, a leading manufacturer of water and baby bottles, announced on April 18 that it would begin a phasing out of the chemical in products made in the future.  Market demand for BPA-free bottles has led them to find a healthier, less controversial, product instead.

Proponents of BPA say the health concerns arise from studying the effects of BPA exposure in animals, not people.  They also say much of the research is based on injections of BPA and not oral ingestion, the way people gain exposure.  There is the possibility that the different avenues of administering the chemical  require different processes for metabolization and may skew the safety outcome.

The NTP report placed the level of concern at “some concern,” the level midway between “negligible concern,” or the lowest, and the highest, “serious concern,” on a scale of 1 to 5.  One US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) survey found PBA in the urine of 93% of the population aged 6 and older.

So, while there is no clearly drawn conclusion as to the safety, or lack thereof, of exposure to BPA, what’s one to do today to minimize any risk that might be proven conclusively at a later date?  The US National Institute of Environmental Health Services offers this advice:

• Don’t microwave polycarbonate containers.  These containers are strong, often clear like glass, but practically shatter-proof.  High temperatures cause the polycarbonate to deteriorate, releasing BPA into the food being microwaved.
• Look for the number 7 in the recycle code.  The number 7 indicates the presence of BPA if it’s a product made from BPA but the number 7 is not limited to BPA alone.  There may be a similarly classed chemical present instead but BPA is included in this particular class of chemicals.
• Avoid canned foods whenever possible.  Canned goods are lined with an epoxy resin made from BPA that is used to increase shelf life and limit the metallic flavor that once leached into many canned goods.
• Use glass, porcelain, or stainless steel food containers whenever possible.  This is especially important if the food or beverage is hot.
• Use only BPA-free baby bottles.