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BPA: Are Your Kids Being Exposed to Dangerous Chemicals?
By Christina Quick | April 16, 2008
A preliminary government report reveals a chemical commonly found in plastic baby bottles, sports drink bottles and other products could cause serious health problems, including cancer.
Bisphenol A, also known as BPA, causes precancerous tumors, urinary tract problems and early puberty in laboratory rats, the National Toxicology Program report says.
BPA can leach into water and other liquids, even at room temperature. When a container is heated in a dishwasher or microwave, leaching may occur even more quickly.
Several companies now offer baby bottles made of glass or BPA-free plastic. I don’t have babies, but I’m purging my home of anything that might expose my kids to this chemical. I recently discarded our Nalgene water bottles, and I’m planning to invest in an aluminum Sigg bottle for each member of my family.
To determine whether your plastic items are made with BPA, look for a number inside a triangle, usually found on the bottom of the container. Steer clear of the numbers 3, 6 and 7. Also avoid lined cans, such as soup cans.
For more on this topic from a Christian perspective, see my previous post Consumer Products and Other Scary Things.
For more on the latest government report, read the Associated Press story here.
Topics: Health, In the news |
