Bisphenol A
is a hormone disruptor found in some 90-95 per cent of plastic baby
bottles in Canada. Bisphenol A is used to make polycarbonate plastics — the clear or
tinted, hard plastic used to make popular baby bottle brands and reusable water bottles,
including some Nalgene bottles, as well as the lining of some food and drink containers
and dental sealants.
Plastics containing bisphenol A are labeled with the #7 recycling symbol on the
bottom of the bottle and/or the letters “PC” near the recycling triangle.
Number 7 plastics are categorized as “other” and are include other plastics, not
just polycarbonate.
You can minimize your child’s exposure to bisphenol A by taking the following steps:
•
Use glass, or polypropylene bottles (#5 plastic) instead of polycarbonate (#7
plastic) bottles.
•
If you continue to use polycarbonate bottles, do not use harsh detergents or put
bottles in the dishwasher. These factors help to degrade the plastic and breakdown
the bonds to release bisphenol A. Instead, clean polycarbonate bottles with
warm soapy water and a sponge.
•
Avoid heating polycarbonate containers in the microwave; use glass or ceramic
containers instead.
•
Avoid using infant formula in cans that use bisphenol A as an epoxy liner. Take a
look at the
Environmental Working Group’s report on bisphenol A in infant
formula to get helpful tips. (http://www.ewg.org/reports/infantformula).
•
Cut back on canned foods and beverages to reduce your family’s exposure to
bisphenol A contamination from the inside lining of cans. Also, avoid canned
foods that are highly acidic (eg. tomato sauce) or fatty (eg. fish in oil), as
bisphenol A reacts to acids and lipids.
Sources of bisphenol A-Free Baby Bottles
BornFree-
Baby products manufacturer BornFree only manufactures and sells baby
bottles that are bisphenol A-, phthalate-, lead-, and PVC-free. The bottles are available
online and at local retailers.
www.newbornfree.com
Evenflo
- Makes glass bottles and its Comfort Select plastic line does not contain
bisphenol A.
www.evenflo.com
Klean Kanteen
- Stainless steel interior and exterior. Comes with a sippy cup lid.
www.kleankanteen.com
MAM
- ‘Care’ bottles are bisphenol A-free, but other products are not. Available online.
www.mambaby.com
Thermos
- Foogo line of sippy and straw cups. Stainless steel interior and exterior.
www.thermos.com
Green to Grow
- bottles are bisphenol A-free and phthalate-free.
www.greentogrow.com
Ban Bisphenol A in food and drink containers
Canada’s federal government is reviewing the safety of bisphenol A and the Ontario
government is setting up an expert panel to review toxic chemicals, including bisphenol
A. Environmental Defence believes cautionary action is necessary to help ensure the
health and well-being of future generations. We are calling for a ban on bisphenol A in
all food and beverage containers. Support our call for action by signing our online
petition to ban bisphenol A –
www.toxicnation.ca. Safer alternatives are already on the
market, manufacturers are already moving to meet the demand. It is only fair that we
ensure that all children have the best opportunity to grow up to be safe and healthy.
