"There are no known health risks from exposure to BPA"

there-are-no-known-health-risks-from-exposure-to-bpa<p>Bisphenol-A (BPA) has been involved in countless studies regarding human health. BPA is a chemical used to make polycarbonate plastics. Polycarbonate plastics are lightweight, have a high-performance rating and possess attributes of clarity, heat and electrical resistance that make it ideal for many applications.</p> <p>Polycarbonate plastics are one of many different kinds of plastic with the <a href=http://blog.containerandpackaging.com/2009/06/what-are-6-main-plastic-resin-types.html>plastic identification code</a> of 7 (which is the catch-all category). Some common applications include: CDs, DVDs, electronic equipment, automobiles, sports equipment, some reusable food containers, some drink containers and more.</p> <p>The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) <a href=http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodIngredientsPackaging/ucm166145.htm>first approved BPA</a> as a chemical used in food contact materials in the early 1960s. That approval was renewed in August 2008. However, just a couple of months ago in June, the FDA announced that it will review the science of BPA again in the late summer or fall.</p> <p>The American Chemistry Council asserts that, &#8220;Under normal conditions of use, there are no known health risks from exposure to bisphenol A from consumer products, including food-contact materials.&#8221; <a href=http://www.bisphenol-a.org/human/prodsafety.html>Please see bisphenol-a.org for more information</a>.</p> <p>This same organization also states that recent studies have shown that under exaggerated conditions polycarbonate plastics may release trace amounts of residual BPA. However, safety assessments conclude that potential human exposure to BPA is <a href=http://www.bisphenol-a.org/about/faq.html#j>more than 400 times lower</a> than the safety levels set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The American Chemistry Council says that you would have to eat more that 500 pounds of canned food and beverages every day for the rest of your life to exceed the safe level established by the EPA.</p> <p>As with every issue, there is another side. This post merely states what the FDA is saying.</p>