The Soft Landing Blog » Bisphenol-a

Can BPA be Absorbed through the Skin?

Alicia — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 13:57:59 +0000

It’s beginning to look like the answer is YES.

Swiss scientists recently found that BPA transfers readily from receipts to skin and can penetrate the skin to a depth that it can’t be washed off.

So the next question is, can BPA continue traveling a little bit further and end up in the bloodstream? We don’t know for certain yet, but EWG’s latest report in which they tested several common stores’ receipts for BPA makes it a valid concern. They found through testing that BPA on a receipt is 250 to 1,000 times greater than the amount of BPA typically found in a can of food or a can of baby formula, or that which leaches from a BPA-based plastic baby bottle into its contents. And even more telling is the fact that retail workers carry an average of 30 percent more BPA in their bodies than other adults, although it’s don’t know how much BPA-coated receipts contribute to people’s total exposure.

As suggested by EWG, one thing is certain: because many retailers already use BPA-free paper for their receipts, it’s one source of contamination that could easily be eliminated. The EPA is even concerned enough to start looking for BPA-free thermal paper alternatives. In the meantime, EWG offers some helpful tips to reduce your exposures to BPA in receipts:

Minimize receipt collection by declining receipts at gas pumps, ATMs and other machines when possible.
Store receipts separately in an envelope in a wallet or purse.
Never give a child a receipt to hold or play with.
After handling a receipt, wash hands before preparing and eating food (a universally recommended practice even for those who have not handled receipts).
Do not use alcohol-based hand cleaners after handling receipts. A recent study showed that these products can increase the skin’s BPA absorption (Biedermann 2010).
Take advantage of store services that email or archive paperless purchase records.
Do not recycle receipts and other thermal paper. BPA residues from receipts will contaminate recycled paper.
If you are unsure, check whether paper is thermally treated by rubbing it with a coin. Thermal paper discolors with the friction; conventional paper does not.

Toxic Chemical Lobby: Exclusive Leaked Footage [Video]

Alicia — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 19:57:36 +0000

Toxic chemicals aren’t sitting around passively, they’re wreaking havoc with our health, and even designing a PR campaign too make sure they don’t become outlaws!

The Safer Chemicals Healthy Families Coalition is bringing the truth of this out-of-control situation to the forefront with a video created to galvanize public support for Congressional action. The characters you will meet in the video are cartoons, but the plot is ripped straight from the headlines. Enjoy and please share it with your friends, co-workers and family!

A Note from our Friends at the Safer Chemicals Healthy Families Coalition

Bisphenol A in baby bottles, water bottles, and food cans. Formaldehyde in furniture. Phthalates in air fresheners, soft plastics, and fragrances.

Scientists once thought these chemicals stayed put in their products, but now we know they leach out of their containers and into our bodies. These common chemicals have not been tested for safety, yet they are found in products we use every day — under your kitchen sink, in your bathrooms and bedrooms.

We need Congress to act now, to make sure the products we reach for, sleep on, and eat from every day aren’t loaded with toxic chemicals. You can help Congress stay strong in the face of chemical industry pushback but only if you speak out.

Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families believes that effective and comprehensive reform of TSCA will not only protect public health; it will also help American companies by spurring innovation and job creation dedicated to making the next generation of safer chemicals and products.

This is our time to make toxic chemicals history! Let’s tell Congress to strengthen and reform the law so that the most dangerous chemicals are taken off the market and that chemicals are safe for use before being added to products.

Chemicals aren’t sitting still – and neither should you! Click HERE to send a message to your Members of Congress now!

Contaminated Without Consent: New Report Reveals BPA in Canned Foods

Alicia — Tue, 18 May 2010 19:06:45 +0000

Mike Schade, PVC Campaign Coordinator for the Center for Health Environment & Justice (CHEJ), notified us of a brand new report released today on BPA in canned foods. CHEJ co-authored the report, No Silver Lining, which found toxic bisphenol A (BPA) in canned foods like green beans and chicken noodle soup.

CHEJ tested a wide variety of products, including fish, fruits, vegetables, soups, and more, and found BPA in foods from 92% of the cans they tested. The new report reveals that BPA is a routine contaminant in canned foods.

Shockingly – one canned food – DelMonte green beans - had the highest levels of BPA ever found in canned foods at 1,140 parts per billion. The new report shows that real-life meals involving one or more cans of food can cause an individual to ingest levels of BPA that have been shown to cause health effects in laboratory studies. BPA has no place in our food – exposure to even low doses have been linked to many different disesases. BPA has been linked to cancer, diabetes and heart disease, infertility, and early puberty, a known risk factor for breast cancer.

Take Action!

This situation will only change if we urge manufacturers to continue searching for a viable BPA-free can lining. There are several companies moving in the right direction now such as General Mills, who is working on a BPA alternative for their Muir Glen Organic Tomato Cans.

Read the report, and educate yourself and your family
Urge your Senator to support national legislation to ban BPA in food and drink containers.
What to eat? We encourage individuals to purchase fresh foods (especially locally grown!) whenever possible followed by frozen or dried foods. If packaged foods are needed, choose glass, aseptic packages, or less toxic plastic containers when possible.
Talk to your local grocery store manager, and ask them to phase out BPA in their canned food!
Forward this on to your friends and family
Support companies who already provide BPA-free cans.

BPA-free Canned Food Options

Alicia — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:00:21 +0000

We’ve talked extensively about BPA-based epoxy linings commonly used in aluminum cans, especially in regards to finding BPA-free tomatoes. It was a difficult task because of their acidic nature, but we finally found Pomi. Not even Eden Organics, the leader of the pack, has found a way to go BPA-free in the tomato category just yet.

During our tomato treasure hunt, we gathered a small list of all BPA-free canned foods currently available. Hopefully this list will grow quickly with the possibility of new BPA-free lining alternatives like this one made from sugar.

BPA-free Canned Food Options

Eden of Organic Beans
Trader Joe’s (canned corn, beans, fish, poultry and beef; they wouldn’t go into detail on what their future plans for more BPA-free options are)
Vital Choice Seafood (salmon, albacore tuna, sardines and mackerel; they test for all endocrine disruptors, not just BPA)

More Alternatives Confirmed by Tree Hugger

Oregon’s Choice (6oz lightly salted albacore and the company is working toward going BPA-free with their crab and shrimp too)
Wild Planet (5oz skipjack tuna and its 5oz albacore tuna)
Eco Fish Oregon’s Choice (albacore tuna is currently BPA-free and they’re looking for a suitable lining for their salmon too)
Native Forest/Native Factor (all canned foods, including the only canned coconut milk that uses a BPA-free can – which happens to the brand I’ve been using for years – yeah!)

Tree Hugger pointed out a great resource by Willy Street Coop on the BPA status of several other brands’ canned foods. We’ll be anxious to see how their information changes as time goes on this year.

Fresh produce and dried beans are still your best bet. Frozen produce is a good second choice because they’re usually harvested when ripe, heated for a shorter time and immediately frozen.

P.S. Aseptic packaging (like Tetra Pak cartons/bricks) are also BPA-free. These packages are made with layers of cardboard and aluminum, then lined with low-density polyethylene (LDPE) for the food contact surface. Read about BPA-free Pomi tomatoes in aseptic packaging here.

BPA Exposure in Unborn Baby Girls May Cause Permanent Fertility Defects

Alicia — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:59:14 +0000

Unborn baby girls exposed to bisphenol-a can suffer permanent uterine changes that may eventually result in cancer. The process is thought to occur through alterations in their DNA.

The findings by researchers at Yale School of Medicine were reported in the March issue of Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB J.). Led by Hugh S. Taylor, M.D., professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences at Yale, the study is the first to show that BPA exposure permanently affects the endocrine system, not only immediately in unborn babies, but also in the long term.

The study exposed one group of mice to BPA as a fetus during pregnancy and exposed another to a placebo. The mice exposed to BPA as a fetus had an exaggerated response to estrogens even as adults, many years after the exposure to BPA. So basically, their genes were permanently programmed to have a super-heightened sensitivity to estrogen.

What our mothers were exposed to in pregnancy may influence the rest of our lives. We need to better identify the effect of environmental contaminants on not just crude measures such as birth defects, but also their effect in causing more subtle developmental errors.

This study underlines the importance of avoiding BPA for pregnant moms and even moms-to-be. The easiest way to remove the greatest sources of BPA from your diet is to eat fresh foods and use a BPA-free water bottle with filtered water.

>> LEARN more about what bisphenol-a is, where it lurks and how to avoid it.

>> REVERSE the effects of BPA by increasing folate in your diet.

Endocrine-Disrupting Obesogens: An Interview with Stephen Perrine

Alicia — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:31:58 +0000

Last week we talked about the basics of a group of endocrine-disrupting chemicals called obesogens. The whole thing sounded pretty bleak, but I promised to bring you some good news, so here we go!

I had the opportunity to interview Steve Perrine, author of The New American Diet, Editor of Children’s Health and Editor-at-Large for Men’s Health.

In our recorded interview, you’ll learn why:

The Old American Diet has stripped vital nutrients from our food, trained our bodies to store fat, and kept us hungry and unhappy
Solutions that will trim flab from our bodies, improve our emotional well-being, and cut down our impact on the environment
Top 3 recommendations for removing surprise obesogens from your diet
How to support repair for harm from exposure

Click here, then click download to listen

*Note: After clicking download, the MP3 will open in a new window and is about 12 minutes long.

>> READ more about how folate can help reverse damage done by BPA here.

Can Folate Correct the Effects of BPA Exposure?

Alicia — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 17:57:57 +0000

Is there anyway to counteract the effects of BPA exposure?

Over the last few years we’ve been smacked by so much information about the damage done to our endocrine systems by hormone-mimicking chemicals like BPA. We’ve removed as many obvious sources as we can, and yet so many are simply out of our control. Canned foods remain one of those BPA-laden giants and manufacturers are having a hard time finding safer alternatives, leaving busy folks with few pre-prepared choices.

So what can we do to protect ourselves against exposures we can’t control? And beyond that, is there anyway to reverse damage that has already been done?

There is exciting news on this front! Dr. Greene recently discussed the protective nature of folate intake based on a preliminary study done by Duke University researchers. They found that the effects of BPA on the babies of pregnant mice were negated when folate was introduced. This was true even with significant exposure to the endocrine disrupting chemical!

These nutrients switched the genes back the way they should be, and the BPA effect was completely nullified. The researchers describe this as compelling evidence that certain nutrients can counteract BPA when given during pregnancy. Beyond this, the researchers propose that these nutrients could block the effects of chemical estrogen exposures, even if given later in childhood and possibly even in adulthood.

In The New American Diet, author Steve Perrine takes this theory even further. He explains that research has linked the addition of huge amounts of corn and soy in our diets to a decrease in folate intake. Americans are more likely to choose highly processed, packaged foods over fresh fruits and vegetables than ever before.

Mr. Perrine gives us a clear picture of folate’s key role in our health when he describes how some scientists liken folate to a canary in a coal mine:

When folate levels drop, levels of obesity, hear disease, stroke cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s, depression – and even resistance to some antidepressant therapies – go up.

Now before you run out to buy a folic-acid supplement, you should know that studies show that getting your folate from fresh food offers twice the protection. The best sources of folate are found in green leafy vegetables such as:

Romaine lettuce
Spinach
Kale
Endive
Swiss Chard

Always be sure to choose organic, pesticide free fruits and vegetables so you don’t end up adding yet another endocrine disruptor to your diet. If you’re not sure how to prioritize your organic buying choices to best fit your budget, be sure to check out the Environmental Working Group’s excellent work on the subject here.

>> You can find other good folate sources can be found here.

Chemical Industry Lobbying Sways FDA Decision on BPA

Alicia — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 21:30:06 +0000

While grassroots movements against endocrine-disrupting chemicals like BPA heat up, so do the American Chemical Industry’s attempts to undermine those efforts.

Last week held some exciting action with supporters of chemical reform speaking out across the country. The Safer Chemical Coalition chronicled the happenings with much excitement:

U.S. Senate held hearings on Thursday February 4 to find out what scientists know about how chemicals are affecting human health. During the hearing, witnesses from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) called for reform, to provide greater protection to families and children.
New research was published showing that: common flame retardants can lower sperm counts, lead contributes to ADHD and human placenta cells die after exposure to BPA.
New mom Molly Gray told Congress how, as a participant in a recent biomonitoring study, she was shocked to find high levels of industrial chemicals in her body. See Molly’s blog on her experience here.
The Learning and Developmental Disabilities Initiative (LDDI) published their thought-provoking new report called Mind, Disrupted. The report explores the question: Can toxic chemicals change how we think and who we are?
Healthy Child, Healthy World launched their “Wake-Up Story” video – a powerful and entertaining ‘story’ meant to jostle worried parents into taking action to protect their families from toxic chemicals. Check it out and send it to your friends who are not yet on fire about toxic chemicals—it’s an entertaining, easy-to-follow introduction to the issue (you can watch this amazing video on our side bar).

The Safer Chemical Coalition wrapped up their hope-filled update with a warning, “As the prospect of a strong bill becomes more possible, we expect the chemical industry to launch a serious offensive campaign.”

And they couldn’t have made a better prediction.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel rang the bell for round one of the counter-offensive yesterday. They uncovered details about the American Chemical Industry’s strategic lobbying effort, after which the EPA went strangely silent and not surprisingly, federal regulators delayed action on including BPA in a new effort to better regulate dangerous chemicals.

Lobbyists for the trade group presented a group of studies – most of which the industry paid for – that downplayed the risks of the chemical. They complained that the EPA’s plan to designate certain chemicals as a “chemical of concern,” prompting tougher scrutiny, will hurt their profits. And they asked the government for preferential treatment – to give them notice of any action before letting the public know.

Last fall, Lisa Jackson, head of the EPA, included BPA high on her list of chemicals needing more regulation. Now, BPA has been ousted and the EPA has decided to prioritize four other chemicals instead. I’m still blown away by the sheer power they have, even in the face of millions of Americans who are insisting on change.

In light of the situation, I don’t think we’ll see a ban on BPA at the federal level anytime this year. We’ll have to continue ramping up our local efforts to create change in our hometowns first. Several states are already making headway and have imposed BPA bans in baby bottles and cups for children ages 3 and under. Wisconsin’s ban was unanimously voted in earlier this month and the California’s Environmental Protection Agency announced plans for a ban as well.

FDA Finally Says BPA is Harmful but Continues to Ride the Fence

Alicia — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 22:15:15 +0000

I was SO excited to hear about the FDA’s recent change in stance on BPA – until I heard the whole story . . .

After delaying its decision three times, the FDA finally agreed that there is some concern about BPA and then issued a warning about its damaging effects.

I did a happy dance.

Then I read the FDA’s strange sideways talk they called a “plan of action” and it reminded me a lot of a used car salesman:

FDA is taking reasonable steps to reduce human exposure to BPA in the food supply – - but the FDA is “not recommending that families change the use of infant formula or foods, as the benefit of a stable source of good nutrition outweighs the potential risk from BPA exposure.”
FDA is supporting a shift to a more robust regulatory framework for oversight of BPA – - but they won’t be able to impose a ban or any strict regulations because: “Current BPA food contact uses were approved under food additive regulations issued more than 40 years ago. This regulatory structure limits the oversight and flexibility of FDA. Furthermore, if FDA were to decide to revoke one or more approved uses, FDA would need to undertake what could be a lengthy process of rulemaking to accomplish this goal.”
FDA is seeking further public comment and external input on the science surrounding BPA – - even though the FDA agrees that recent studies provide reason for some concern about the potential effects of BPA on the brain, behavior, and prostate gland of fetuses, infants and children, they also believe that “substantial uncertainties with respect to the overall interpretation of these studies and their potential implications for human health effects of BPA exposure.”

In other words, the FDA will continue to ride the fence. They gave a little pat on the head to the environmental groups and scientists who are convinced of BPA’s dangers, then turned around and told the chemical industry they agree that there just isn’t enough research to support more than just “some concern” – - so go ahead and continue using BPA at your discretion, just being sure to keep looking for other alternatives.

Dang, we didn’t even get a requirement for product labeling out of this whole thing. So how are parents supposed to avoid BPA?

Oh well, I guess I’ll stop ranting and get back to what we were doing before – working endless hours to confirm which hidden toxic chemicals are lurking in our everyday household products. Sheesh.

>> Be sure to check out this article for more interesting reading on an informal bit of research done by the Early Show and Dr. Fred Vom Saal.

>> Download our free ebook for tips on avoiding BPA in food contact items and toys made to be mouthed by children.

Do BPA-free Canned or Jarred Tomatoes Exist?

Alicia — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 22:26:51 +0000

Is it possible to enjoy pre-prepared tomatoes without BPA?

So far we’ve come up empty-handed in searching for BPA-free tomatoes. In fact, Eden Organic is the only company currently using a BPA-free lining for their any canned foods in the U.S. – and even they haven’t quite perfected a sturdy enough lining to withstand the acidity of tomatoes. Eden Organic Beans are packed in steel cans coated with a baked on oleoresinous c-enamel lining that does not contain BPA (oleoresin is a natural mixture of an oil and a resin extracted from various plants, such as pine or balsam fir).

Only one country in the world has drastically reduced the use of BPA (in their cans and other food packaging), and that’s Japan. Between 1998 and 2003, Japan removed the standard BPA epoxy found in aluminum cans and replaced it with it with PET film lamination on the inner surface of cans. They also used an EXR paint that had much less BPA migration into food when necessary. Following their reduction and replacement moves, a team of assessors claim that virtually no BPA is found in canned foods and drinks in Japan now.

So where does that leave us right now?

For now we don’t have the luxury of running to the store to grab pre-prepared tomatoes, because even BPA-free glass jars are capped with aluminum lids lined with BPA. Utne.com recently discussed an article from the Winter 2009-2010 edition of Organic Gardening. The magazine asked endocrine-disruptor expert, Frederick vom Saal, about the potential health hazards of BPA-lined glass jar lids. He suggested that if the lid doesn’t contact the food, it’s not a problem, but because that’s unlikely to be the case, he recommends using a BPA-free product.

The only option for truly BPA-free tomatoes is to can them yourself for off-season months – and there are only two possibilities available:

Weck Canning Jars – they’re 100% glass (body and lid) with a rubber sealing ring and no lining.
Ball Canning/mason jars using Plastic Storage Caps – they’re BPA-free, freezer grade plastic.

Our recommendation until BPA is removed

Canning tomatoes isn’t possible for many of us, so we’ll just have to prioritize while we wait for the very slow FDA to make a move. We recommend you eat fresh if possible and choose glass jars when necessary for a lower exposure to BPA.

UPDATE 1/14/10: We finally confirmed some BPA-free tomato options thanks to our awesome blog reader’s suggestions! Read about it here.

P.S. This was yet another great Skribit suggestion from our readers! Looking for something else? Let us know by leaving your own suggestion on the right-hand side of our blog —->>>>