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Labels: Health and Chemicals
The Bisphenol A Debate
September 4th, 2008
The Bisphenol A (BPA) debate rages on... Researchers from the University of Guelph and Yale University found that low-level exposure to Bisphenol A, (BPA), a man-made chemical that mimics estrogen, may affect memory and brain function.
The research, conducted on primates was just published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Previous studies involving BPA were criticized because their animal models were mice and rats, whose brains are not as complex as humans. This is the first study done on non-human primates (monkeys). The study raises more concern that BPA impairs spine synapses formation, which can have "profound implication", as one of the key investigators put it. Disruption in these synapses may be linked to such diseases as Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, and depression.
The dose researchers used in the study is the same dose that the Environmental Protection Agency considers safe. Health Canada's limit is half of the EPA's, and Health Canada is currently looking at placing BPA on its list of toxic substances. A final decision will be announced in late October.
Almost everyone is exposed to BPA on a regular basis; about three billion kilograms of BPA are produced each year. It's in baby bottles (polycarbonate plastic), baby formula (lining of cans), and medical equipment, as well as food and beverage containers.
For the abstract and full study, click here.
The Bisphenol A Debate
posted by Eco Baby Products on Thursday, September 04, 2008
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