A new study by leading
researchers (Yang et al)1 clearly shows that BPA-free plastic
components in juvenile bottles, adult bottles, and food storage vessels release
chemicals that have been linked to a host of health related issues including
(but not limited to): increased rates of breast, ovarian, testicular, and
prostate cancer; early puberty in females, obesity, and altered functions of
reproductive organs
The study focuses on
leaching of chemical components, inherent to all plastics, that cause estrogenic
activity (EA). It was found that virtually all plastic compounds including
those labeled "BPA-free" leach chemicals that result in estrogenic
activity. In fact, many of the BPA-free plastic formulations leachmore EA
inducing chemicals than the old BPA-laden products (polycarbonate)! Even more
alarming is the fact that estrogenic activity is induced by VERY low doses of
these chemicals (in some cases 1 part per billion). The study also finds that
"stressing" the plastic by exposing it to high humidity heat
(dishwasher or boiling) or UV (UV sterilizers) accelerates the release of these
chemicals. Most parents subject their bottles to these conditions on a daily
basis.
According to Yang et
al:
1.
"Almost all
commercially available plastic products we sampled – independent of the type of
resin, product or retail source – leached chemicals having reliably detectable
EA, including those advertised as BPA-free. In some cases, BPA-free products
released chemicals having more EA than did BPA-containing products."
2.
"We found that
exposure to one or more common-use stresses often increases the leaching of
chemicals having EA. In fact, our data suggest that almost all commercially
available plastic items would leach detectable amounts of chemicals having EA
once such items are expose to boiling water, sunlight (UV) and/or
microwaving."
According to the study
presented every baby bottle (containing plastic) tested (ref
Table 2 of study) leached chemicals that have been shown to cause estrogenic
activity and thereby lead to enhanced risks of a myriad of health problems.
Every juvenile (infant and toddler) bottle on the market except those
manufactured by Pura Stainless (Kiki line) employ plastic for the collar that
holds the nipple or spout. Most bottles also include additional plastic
components such as nipple covers, sealing disks, handles, spouts, etc.
This
research is ground breaking and clearly shows the extent to which the use of
plastic vessels/containers for food and beverage storage are hazardous to our
health. It is likely the established juvenile product companies and plastics
conglomerates will dismiss this as either unproven or a non-issue. Sounds a bit
like their position when BPA was shown to cause similar problems, doesn't it?
Show these firms that they cannot get away with double speak and the dumping
inferior products on our children in the name of higher profit margins. There
is only one true solution to this issue... eliminate all plastic from juvenile
feeding products.
At
present there is only one line of infant and toddler bottles that are
completely devoid of plastic, the Pura Stainless line of Kiki products. These
US and Internationally patent pending bottles employ a stainless collar that
captures the nipple or spout and a silicone nipple cover. Toxicity tests
conducted by an independent global testing agency found no detectable levels of
any plastic by-products in these bottles. Fortunately, the Kiki line of bottles
also feature the first modular lid system that allows the Kiki bottles to be
used with nipples and spouts from a wide range of vendors so parents no longer
needs to choose an inferior bottle because their child prefers a specific
nipple.
The bottom line: Plastic feeding and hydration
products, including BPA-free plastic products, are NOT safe for use!
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