New Information on Polycarbonate Bottles
August 24, 2008 – 11:58 am
Recent scientific studies conducted in
By: Natasha Morgan
For some time now we’ve been bombarded with reports warning us about the safety of plastic bottles. We’ve been told that trace levels of bisphenol A will migrate from polycarbonate bottles into foods or beverages making them unsafe for human consumption.
Now recent scientific studies conducted in
The most popular rumor stated that the level of bisphenol A released from polycarbonate plastic bottles increased when the bottles were filled with boiling water and remained elevated when the bottles were subsequently filled with water at room temperature.
According to researchers even the highest levels of bisphenol A and real-life repetitive use are well below science-based safety standards set by government bodies.
A great concern to families was the heating of baby bottles in a microwave oven. Many fearful parents needlessly gave up this convenience and reverted back to old time tested methods.
A series of tests was conducted to determine if the level of bisphenol A that migrates under real-life microwave heating or sterilizing conditions was within safety guidelines. A study published in 2008 by
Another piece of misleading information circulated throughout the web suggested that washing polycarbonate bottles in a dishwasher will cause the bottles to degrade and release unsafe levels of bisphenol A in subsequent uses of the bottle. Investigation revealed that caustic floor cleaning detergent was inadvertently used in the dishwasher giving rise to this myth.
After a complete review of the scientific data that has been conducted by government and scientific bodies worldwide, it can safely be concluded that the use of plastic bottles in real life situations is not harmful.
Adults exposed to higher amounts of the plastic compound bisphenol A are more likely to be afflicted by cardiovascular disease, type-2 diabetes, and have liver enzyme abnormalities, according to a new study issued Tuesday, September 16, 2008 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Read: Baby Botle Makers Ditch BPA in WebMd
Related Story in Globe and Mail: BPA leaching from the bottles and infant formula cans.
3 Responses to “New Information on Polycarbonate Bottles”
There is evidence that the FDA used only industry-funded research to make their decision while ignoring over 100 independent studies. Congress is even looking into the FDA’s findings. I wouldn’t be so hasty to make judgements though I still haven’t replaced all my bottles/food containers, myself.
More info on BPA
http://knol.google.com/k/brinton-reed/bisphenol-a-bpa-what-it-is-where-its/2plpskfyc9o9n/2?locale=en#
By Jackie on Aug 25, 2008
Six major makers of baby bottles have agreed to stop using the polycarbonate plastic chemical bisphenol A (BPA) in their bottles.
It looks like the evidence is mounting against BPA.
By rita morgan on Mar 8, 2009
That addersses several of my concerns actually.
By Anitra on Jul 28, 2011