Heard of BPA? Trace amounts of it could be affecting our health.

[Raider Fan]

As if we didn't have enough to worry about today, according to the information below, now it looks like we need to be concerned with the packaging of things we all use every single day.  Soup cans, plastic pop bottles, pizza boxes, beer cans and even receipts have trace amounts of BPA, and BPA has been linked to endocrine disruptions, heart disease and certain cancers.  

Study: BPA Linked to Higher Testosterone Levels - http://www.webmd.com/news/20100826/stidy-bpa-linked-to-higher-testosterone-levels?ecd=wnl_men_090710
Men exposed to high levels of the plastic chemical bisphenol A (BPA)
may show a small but significant increase in testosterone levels. http://www.webmd.com/news/20100826/stidy-bpa-linked-to-higher-testosterone-levels?ecd=wnl_men_090710
Also See:
  • High BPA Linked to Sex Problems in Men - http://www.webmd.com/erectile-dysfunction/news/20091111/study-high-bpa-linked-to-sex-issues-in-men?ecd=wnl_men_090710
  • How to Avoid the Sneakiest Sources of BPA - http://blogs.webmd.com/health-ehome/2010/02/how-to-avoid-the-sneakiest-sources-of-bpa.html?ecd=wnl_men_090710

[Chicago]

There was just a study in the news today, about the BPA thats in cavity treatments. The result was its "ok" for kids because they can flush out most of the BPA during the procedure but for pregnant ladies, not "ok".

In general, you are right to stay away from this crap. Aluminum water bottles look cooler anyway.

In my opinion, its worth the weight of glass bottles for babies, too.

[Paa_Paw]

Due to concerns expressed, many products containing BPA were taken off the market in 2008. There are still some products that contain this chemical which can be identified by the numbers 07 and 03 within the recycle triangleusually found on the foot of plastic bottles etc.

There are more recent studies, But while concern still exists, it is not great.

I have looked up a number of studies on the subject but the unfortunate truth is that very few of the things I found on the internet are actually dated. Some of the best information seems to come from the National Institutes of Health, But they too are undated so it is difficult to determine what the latest word is on this subject.

[TheOregonKid]

I realize that this thread is old but I thought I'd contribute anyway.  From everything I've read, gyno is on the rise in men in the U.S.  I'm not a doctor/researcher but I have strong suspicion that it has something to do with the rise in obesity and the slew of synthetic chemicals and hormones in our food supply.  BPA could indeed be a contributing factor considering its heavy use in plastics and the huge amount of contact that our food has with these plastics.  My guess however is that gyno is caused by a number of factors, which is why its cause continues to elude researchers.  I think the moral of this story is to make the attempt to eat as natural a diet as possible, excercise, and avoid contact with products made with chemicals known to have negative health effects like BPA and Teflon.

[Raider Fan]

I think that's all very wise advise, 'kid. 

[Paa_Paw]

The irony is that this chemical has been around a very long time. Like since the 1930's. Over time, there have been different concerns and the use of the chemical has been reduced in some applications and eliminated in some others.

Often the outrage of someone comes to the fore when they get some very old news about the hazards. people get all upset based upon information which is no longer timely.

For this reason, you should try to find out the age of the information you are reading. It could be possible that you are reading  something that no longer has any relevance.

With this chemical, as many others, the issue is often related to the concentrations involved and the relative stability of the specific combination of chemicals.

The classic example would be common salt. Individually, both Sodium and Chlorine are potential poisons. A large excess of salt could be fatal also. Yet, we need salt.

Many things that we find to be beneficial in some amounts are bad news in an excess.

Caution is wise, but it cam become a compulsion.

[TheOregonKid]

BPA is really scary stuff.  According to Wikipedia, a series of studies completed in 2009 determined that BPA did the following to rats:

-Altered the hypothalamic estrogen-dependent mechanisms that govern sexual behavior (neonatal exposure)
-Reduced estrogen synthesis in vitro
-Disrupted the blood-testis barrier in immature AND adult rats.
-Caused ovarian anomolies in females

In human studies BPA was found to:
-Alter male hormone levels
-Possibly cause a decline in sexual function
-Be associated with miscarriages

BPA, a carcinogen, is also linked to breast and prostate cancer.

The sources for this data can be found in the bibliography section of the BPA page on Wikipedia.

Like I've stated before: I'm no doctor/scientist but, considering the effects that BPA has on the reproductive system and hormone levels, I think there is a likely association with gynecomastia.

Add to that the hormones in our meat and dairy, the pesticides on our fruits and vegetables, and the chemicals in our processed foods......you get the picture.
Then consider our skyrocketing rates of obesity(which also messes with your hormones) and you have a perfect storm for abnormalities like gyno.

Maybe some of our doctor friends can weigh in on this.