CNN article on BPA in formula cans, baby 411

[brittone2]

thought I'd post it here, especially since it references Ari Brown and Baby 411.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/12/04/bpa.formula/index.html

[dr mom]

Another great reason to breastfeed...and another great reason to hate Nestle.

[Marisa6826]

Biting my tongue for many reasons (and not looking for a debate, because you know I love ya, Girlie ;) ), but not all of us have/had the ability to breasfeed exclusively.

-m

[Radosti]

I know it's more expensive, but Enfamil also makes ready to feed formula in 6 oz glass bottles (on top of everyone making 3-4 oz glass bottles). My neighbor fed her son those bottles and I used to get the empties from her as they turned out to be my favorite "pumping bottles".

[emilys_mom]

I really appreciate Ari Brown's stance. So many professionals wait until the FDA makes an official decision to suggest changes (of course that will be 10 years from now!). I think, why not do what you can?

I looked into it and glass bottles are pretty cheap (compared to what I paid for all those Avent bottles last time). I also had to supplement my BM with formula occasionally last time, so now I know to use powder if I do.

[ltmommy]

Call me clueless, but can anyone explain the issue with formula stored in BPA? I thought the main issue surrounding BPA was that the chemicals leached out when the BPA is heated at high temperatures. I have stopped using my Avent bottles because I was somewhat worried that washing them in the dishwasher would cause the chemical to leach (I rarely heat BM or formula in them). However, I really don't see what the problem would be with formula that is just stored in BPA, not heated in the container. I am also confused as to which form of the formula the article is referring to - is it liquid in cans? powder in cans? although the article says something about powder in cans being okay. After re-reading, this article seems really alarmist, without many hard facts behind it.

On the other hand, as a mom who is both breastfeeding and formula feeding, if BPA is so harmful to babies, isn't the presence of it in the packaging of ordinary foods also a concern to pregnant and nursing mothers? Makes me wonder how far we can go...

[brittone2]

The new evidence suggests it leaches out even at room temperature. It just is worse if heated, or the coating of things is scratched/damaged.
ETA:
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0CYP/is_9_111/ai_107123523
http://www.ewg.org/node/25572

Additionally, the linings of canned goods (like formula cans) is thought to be one of the main routes of exposure in most humans.

BPA is in the polycarbonate bottles (again, leaching even at room temperature) but it is also in the linings of things like canned goods, it is in dental sealants, Nalgene water bottles/baby bottles (because they are polycarbonate), etc.

Yes, it is a concern in moms during pg'cy etc. Yes, it is possible to minimize your exposure. It is probably almost impossible to eliminate it entirely, but every bit you can do to ease the burden on your body is probably helpful.

There are tons of old links in the archives, but between the search feature not working right and lost threads, I'll see if I can find a few links for you:
http://www.ewg.org/node/22300 (see links also on the right hand margin)
http://www.thegreenguide.com/doc/114/bpa
http://www.thegreenguide.com/doc/121/fat
http://www.ourstolenfuture.org/NewScience/oncompounds/bisphenola/bpauses.htm
http://pubs.acs.org/cen/news/85/i32/8532notw2.html
http://portal.acs.org:80/portal/acs/corg/content?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=PP_ARTICLEMAIN&node_id=223&content_id=CTP_003886&use_sec=true&sec_url_var=region1#P86_8709
http://pubs.acs.org/cen/news/83/i18/8318escic1.html


Some of the older research that for years has been used to justify the safety of BPA was contracted out by private industry plastics makers (BASF, etc.) to a group known as Sciences International. All of the industry studies miraculously show BPA is safe, while 100+ gov't studies have shown it to be a concern. The NIH's own investigation involved contracting Sciences International initially until a conflict of interest was eventually uncovered (which should have been obvious in the first place)
http://pubs.acs.org/cen/news/85/i11/8511notw9.html

Additionally, some of the industry studies have specifically used strains of mice that are not sensitive to the effects of estrogen mimicking compounds. That makes it almost impossible for a hormone-disruption effect to show up...BPA largely works as a hormone disruptor. So if you use mice that aren't sensitive to that effect, it looks "safer" than it really is.

when looking at the safety of BPA, the other thing to consider is most studies are looking at it in isolation. But there are multiple estrogen mimicking/hormone disrupting compounds that we're all exposed to regularly. Pesticides, phthalates, parabens, etc. The research is only scratching the surface of how those things interact in our body, and what the effects are of multiple hormone disruptors in our system simultaneously.

I'm not sure it is alarmist to try to avoid it. I think everyone makes their own decisions. But where someone has the option to reduce their exposure, I think it makes sense to do so if the research concerns your family.

I think the most important thing as parents is to go to our lawmakers and demand they get this stuff out of products, especially in things like bottles where babies are exposed multiple times a day (especially through formula plus a bottle). I think we should be using the attention lead in toys is getting in the media to encourage lawmakers to not only clean up *lead* in toys, but to eliminate the use of phthalates, BPA, etc. in our children's toys and products. Europe is so far ahead of the US in this domain.

As parents, we make the best choices we can for our families. I think putting the onus on parents to try to uncover this information, figure out how to apply it to their own lives/products, and shop accordingly is too much for many people. But by taking a few minutes to email your legislators, I think we would have a much larger impact as parents. We need to tell them we want lead out of toys, and we also want this other stuff gone too. Products can be made without these compoundsf. Why take the chance, especially on a young body that may be especially burdened by the accumulation of these products?

[caleymama]

:14: Great post, Beth.

[lmwbasye]

I'm a bit confused also....cannot EBF, so am combo feeding....powder doesn't agree with DS (although I'll use it anyway if it's safer), but was wondering if this applied to the Similac RTF plastic bottles as well.

Laura :)

[brittone2]

lmwbasye-Admittedly, I know almost nothing about baby bottles, so forgive me if I'm asking dumb or inapplicable questions. I'm not familiar with the ready to feed bottles but I'll try to help.

Are you talking about a bottle that you feed directly from, or is this the liquid stored in a plastic bottle that you then empty into a different bottle?

Is there a number on the bottom of the bottles? Are they clearish hard plastic?

If they are polycarbonate (would be labeled #7) they most likely contain BPA. As far as the formula itself, I suppose it depends on what it is stored in at the factory before it is put into the bottles (is it exposed to any kind of lining in containers there for enough time to get expose the formula to BPA?).

Here's one other resource. Not vouching for accuracy of it because I've only skimmed through. Someone there mentions the RTF bottles as being labeled as #7 (which most likely means they are polycarbonate).
http://zrecs.blogspot.com/2007/07/z-report-bisphenol-in-polycarbonate.html

eta: the updated zrecs list too:
http://zrecs.blogspot.com/2007/11/z-report-bisphenol-in-baby-bottles-and.html

Some things are also confusing because the initial reports, etc. have since been revised, more info has come out from various companies, etc. So check dates on the recommendations from greenguide, etc. when you are reading and stick w/ what is the most current info.

[lmwbasye]

Thanks for the reply...I'm talking about the bottle that the formula is stored in and you pour it into bottles...I'm guessing it will have BPA, but I'll have to double-check.

On a side note, I had seen that website on the BPA bottles and it had an updated report since the Fields' withdrew their recommendations on various bottles. In the newer report, they do not include the disposable bottles as safe. Anyone know anymore on this?