What is Bisphenol A (BPA) and why should I be concerned about it?
BPA is an industrial chemical used to make hard, clear plastics (also known as polycarbonate). BPA can be found in reusable hard water bottles, baby bottles and children’s sippy cups. BPA is also used in the lining found on the inside of metal cans such as canned foods. Scientists believe that BPA in the body can affect the actions of some hormones (such as the female hormone estrogen). Scientific experiments suggest that BPA’s effect on our bodies may lead to cancer or fertility problems. BPA can also damage the environment. It’s been found in wastewater and may be harmful to fish over time. *However – For most Canadians, BPA does not pose a health risk because our exposure to the chemical is very low. The general population can still use plastic water bottles, canned foods and drinks, and plastic storage containers and tableware. The biggest concern with exposure to BPA is for infants less than18 months old. This is because when baby bottles are heated, BPA can transfer into the hot
