 Are
baby bottles toxic?
Each year approximately 720, 000 babies are born in the
UK, and by 6 weeks old more than three quarters are completely bottle
fed, while many more have at least one feed a day from a bottle.
However, just how safe is your baby's bottle? Recent claims
suggest that a potentially toxic substance in plastic, known as Bisphenol
A, or BPA, could be seeping out of bottles used to feed baby.
What is Bisphenol A?
BPA is a chemical used in polycarbonate plastics and is used extensively
in consumer products ranging from baby bottles to coffee makers. It can
also be found in products such as laptop computers, CDs, car parts, water
filters, and as linings in food and drink cans.
In 2002, approximately 2.8 million tons of bisphenol A (BPA) was produced
globally. You can't smell, taste or see it but it is so common in society
that you will come into contact with it every day. A recent study found
that 95 per cent of adults tested had BPA present in their urine.
As Dr. Hugh S. Taylor, reproductive endocrinologist at Yale University
School of Medicine, who is studying the impact of the chemical on female
reproductive health, says "Everyone is exposed to it."
What are the dangers for children?
Bisphenol A is one of the most extensively tested materials in use today
and has been researched and studied for over 40 years. However, it is
only in the last 10-15 years that concerns have been raised over its safety,
particularly during pregnancy and for young babies.
Frederick vom Saal, a biology professor at the University of Missouri
at Columbia, stumbled onto BPA in 1997 while studying foetal development,
and has spent the last 10 years researching the effects during pregnancy
and on young children.
Prof Saal says, "The foetus and infant are exquisitely sensitive to bisphenol
A. One hit during a brief window of time can influence future development."
- Future fertility - Prof Saal found that BPA passes through the placenta
from mother to baby, mimicking the behaviour of the natural hormone
oestrogen. Even low levels of exposure while the baby is developing
can cause lasting changes in reproductive and metabolic development.
- Behavioural problems - Several studies have found that Bisphenol
A at extremely low levels causes changes in brain structure and behavior
in rats which scientists argue show the same reaction in humans.
- Cancer - some studies have found that early exposure to BPA during
infancy increases the risk of breast and prostate cancer in later life.
What do the scientists say?
Scientists have known that bisphenol A could leach from finished plastics
since the early 1990s. However, the debate is whether or not BPA is damaging.
Prof Saal says there is so much BPA in the environment it is as if we
are all wearing "a sex hormone patch."
However, what is unusual is that scientists believe low doses can cause
genetic abnormalities while high doses may not. Prof Saal explains, "These
changes to the foetus are permanent and irreversible, whereas impacts
of adult exposure are reversible."
The WWF is calling for a ban on BPA, especially in products used for
children. Chloe Webster, WWF's Toxics Policy Officer says, "BPA is one
of a number of chemicals that can mimic or block the actions of our natural
hormones, particularly oestrogen.
"Children, and in particular, unborn and new born babies, are at the
highest risk from chemicals of this type. During critical development
stages, imbalances of hormones can have pronounced effects, some of which
may not reveal themselves until much later in life.
"Bisphenol A is a known endocrine disruptor, and to continue to use
this chemical in the light of all the evidence is jeopardising the health
of future generations."
The UK is one of the few EU nations with a research programme into the
effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals and an unpublished study commissioned
by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) found that BPA is released
from babies' bottles which have been subjected to bottle brushing, dishwashing
or sterilisation. In 2002, due to the scientific uncertainty around bisphenol
A, the European Commission's Scientific Committee on Food reduced five
fold the amount it considered could safely be eaten daily.
This is the tolerable daily intake (TDI) level and is the daily amount
that a person may eat over a lifetime without suffering any health effects.
However, in January this year, after reviewing over 700 research papers,
the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluded that the TDI can safely
return to its original level of 0.05 milligrams per kilogram of bodyweight.
The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) also argues that there is no risk
to children. A spokesperson said, "Data from a recent FSA-sponsored project
on dietary consumption by infants shows dietary consumption of BPA by
infants in the UK might be up to 0.007 mg/day/kg bodyweight, which is
less than the full Tolerable Daily Intake.
"Should evidence emerge to suggest that current limits offer inadequate
protection, the Food Standards Agency will act as necessary to protect
the public."
Is my child at risk?
Despite concerns over the possible dangers, International regulatory
agencies responsible for consumer protection, including the European Food
Safety Authority (EFSA), the UK Food Standards Agency, the German Federal
Institute of Risk Assessment, and the Japanese Ministry of Health have
all studied the use of BPA and concluded that it can safely be used in
the manufacture of baby bottles.
Dr Carola Sondermann, of the EFSA, said, "In order to give you an idea
of how much can be consumed without harm I would like to give you an example:
a 3-month-old bottle-fed baby that weighs around 6 kg would need to consume
more than 4 times the usual number of bottles of baby formula a day before
it would reach the TDI." And a spokesperson from the FSA stresses, "The
Food Standards Agency welcomes the clarity provided by EFSA as there has
been some scientific uncertainty about the low-dose effects of bisphenol
A on human health.
The report provides reassurance about the safety of bisphenol A at the
levels that may be found in food. "
What can I do to keep my child safe?
Paediatrician Harvey Karp, M.D., a board member of Healthy Child Healthy
World, a non-profit group that raises awareness about environmental toxins
says, "There's no need to be frightened, but you should try to reduce
your baby's exposure to this chemical." Jo Behm, a registered nurse with
the Learning Disability Association adds, "Where it is possible to find
safer alternatives, head there!" Some simple things you can do include;
- Avoid hard polycarbonate plastic, which contains BPA. Instead,
use bottles made of glass, or softer, safer plastics made of polyethylene,
polypropylene, or polyamide. Brands that carry these include Born Free.
- Discard worn bottles (those that are cloudy or scratched):
Chemicals leach into food more easily when plastics break down.
- Do not fill bottles with boiling water
- Don't leave plastic baby bottles in hot cars or direct sunlight
What the manufacturers say
All baby bottles manufactured in the UK must meet the highest standards
laid down by the food regulatory system. This is what some of the top
names in baby products say.
Avent - "AVENT is aware of the recent media reports focusing on
Bisphenol A (BPA) and polycarbonate. We would like to help our customers
better understand why many companies, including AVENT, use these materials
to manufacture baby bottles.
"Polycarbonates are used in thousands of consumer products such as reusable
food containers, lifesaving medical devices and sport safety equipment.
Manufacturers of such products, including baby bottles use polycarbonate
because it prevents cracking, shattering and other hazards that can lead
to injuries.
"Bottles are independently tested in accordance with and comply with
the latest European Standard for Drinking Equipment for Children-EN14350:
2004 which looks specifically at the acceptable daily intake of BPA for
children.
"Our bottles have been and will continue to be used by millions of healthy
babies in over 70 countries worldwide."
Tommee Tippee - "Tommee Tippee is aware of the recent reports
regarding concerns over Polycarbonate and an ingredient called Bisphenol
A (BPA). Polycarbonate is used for the vast majority of the world's feeding
bottles, and has been for over 40 years.
"This widespread use is due to the exceptional combination of properties
that the material gives, including safety, toughness, durability, lightweight,
glass-like appearance, and suitability to all common household methods
of sterilisation.
"Over the past decades, BPA has been subjected to extensive investigation
into potential health effects, including studies on reproduction and development,
short and long-term toxicity, carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, metabolism
and pharmacokinetics.
"Tommee Tippee is a responsible manufacturer and therefore continues
to monitor all information relating to the potential safety of our products
and the raw materials used.
We have, and have always had, an active program to ensure all our bottles
meet any relevant industry guidelines, local legislative requirements
and national / international safety standards e.g. the EU Standard for
Drinking Equipment (BS EN 14350).
"Over the years, millions of parents have used our products with confidence
as they appreciate their child's safety and good health is of paramount
importance to us."
Difrax - "Difrax adheres to ALL required European Safety norms.
International research has not proven that bisphenol A is dangerous to
babies. As you might know a lot of food packages contain polycarbonate,
not just baby bottles.
Medela - "All Medela bottles & breastpump kits are 100 per cent
Bisphenol-A (BPA) Free, chosen for mother and baby."
Born Free - Ron Vigdor, President of Born Free, LLC, says, "It
is time to educate the public that Bisphenol-A is present in 90-95 per
cent of all baby bottles.
"Born Free is committed to the highest standards in baby feeding systems.
Our products are made from Bisphenol-A free plastics.
"We plan to do everything we can to make the public aware of the presence
of Bisphenol-A in children's products and continue to expand the availability
of our alternative products."
Lansinoh - Diane Emery, Marketing and PR manager, says "Many parents
are aware of the current debate around the use of plastics containing
bisphenol-A for baby feeding products. Until more is known about the effects
of bisphenol-A Lansinoh believes it makes sense to limit exposure to it,
so our breastfeeding products - manual breast pump and breastmilk storage
bottles - are bisphenol-A free and are made from 100% polypropylene."
MAM - All MAM bottles are polypropylene and available in a selection
of these 'milky' translucent colours.
Peter Rohrig, CEO of MAM says "From all that we know we do not assume
at the moment that baby products made of polycarbonate have a negative
effect on children. Nevertheless we have invested heavily to implement
changing our feeding product range by introducing polypropylene. As our
bottle range does not contain Bisphenol A, parents do not need to worry
about limit values and possible effects on their babies' health".
Where to next?
- What do you think about BPA - should it still be used to make baby
bottles? Do you believe the scientists or the manufacturers? Discuss,
Debate and Deliberate with other parents on our
forum.
- Find out all about feeding your baby here.
- Tried and tested - mums
put 6 baby bottles to the test.
- Find out what products parents rate and add your own reviews and win
a prize.
- Buy
baby botttles in the babyworld shop.
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