You have too much Bisphenol A inside you.
And that’s a bad thing.
In an unusual effort targeting a single chemical, several dozen scientists on Thursday issued a strongly worded consensus statement warning that an estrogen-like compound in plastic is likely to be causing an array of serious reproductive disorders in people.
The compound, bisphenol A or BPA, is one of the highest-volume chemicals in the world and has found its way into the bodies of most human beings.
Used to make hard plastic, BPA can seep from beverage containers and other materials. It is used in all polycarbonate plastic baby bottles, as well as other rigid plastic items, including large water cooler containers, sports bottles and microwave oven dishes, along with canned food liners and some dental sealants for children.
The scientists — including four from federal health agencies — reviewed about 700 studies before concluding that people are exposed to levels of the chemical exceeding those that harm lab animals. Infants and fetuses are most vulnerable, they said.
The problem is, how do you avoid it? You can’t check the inside of cans without opening them and few drinks come in glass containers anymore. It’s funny if you think about it; glass is stable, inert chemically safe and easily recycled, but it’s heavy and dangerous if it breaks. Plastic is seemingly less stable, leeches chemicals into whatever it’s containing, tricky to recycle but safe if you drop it and pretty lightweight.