Are plastic drink bottles and coffee cups safe?
Belinda Kirkpatrick BHSc(Nat), AssocDegClinSci, AdvDipNat,MATMS
There has been recent media discussion about the use and dangers of bisphenol A (BPA) which is found in baby bottles, tinned food linings and other plastics.
Bisphenol A is an endocrine disruptor, which can mimic the body’s own hormones and may lead to negative health effects. Early development appears to be the period of greatest sensitivity to its effects. The negative health effects of BPA are seen in many body systems and include: increased breast cancer risk; reproductive and fertility problems, increased miscarriage risk; neurological issues; thyroid disturbance; heart disease and diabetes.
People wishing to lower their exposure to bisphenol A should avoid canned food and polycarbonate plastic containers. Bisphenol A is contained in polycarbonates – the number to look for is #7. The other danger plastics are the PET plastics #2. All plastics are obliged to display these numbers. Disposable coffee cups are a common – and daily- source of BPA for many people. The danger is increased due to leaching of the compound from the heat of the coffee.
Heating and cooling of these plastics magnify the harmful effects. The National Toxicology Panel recommends avoiding microwaving food in plastic containers, putting plastics in the dishwasher, or using harsh detergents, to avoid leaching. Using BPA free water bottles and coffee cups is an easy (and environmentally friendly) way to reduce you and your children’s daily BPA exposure.
A 2009 study showed that BPA exposure to rats affected the fertility of their male offspring. The study can be viewed below for those who are interested.
Perinatal exposure of rats to Bisphenol A affects the fertility of male offspring.
Source: Life Sci. 2009 Nov 18;85(21-22):742-52. Epub 2009 Oct 21.
The exposure to endocrine disruptor (ED) induces functional and behavioral abnormalities associated with reproduction. Humans are ubiquitously exposed to Bisphenol A (BPA), an ED, as it leaches from polycarbonate plastics into their contents.
AIM:
The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of perinatal exposure of male rats to BPA on fertility parameters and perturbations in the expression of testicular steroid receptors (SRs) in adult F(1) offspring. These effects were studied in adult males of the F(2) and F(3) generations to determine the vertical transmission of BPA exposure.
MAIN METHODS:
Pregnant female rats (F(0)) were gavaged with either BPA (1.2 and 2.4 microg/kg bw), a vehicle control or positive control with Diethylstilbestrol (10 microg/kg bw) during the perinatal period. Adult F(1) males were subjected to fertility assessment by mating with unexposed females. The reproductive functions of the subsequent F(2) and F(3) litters were investigated in a similar manner.
Immunohistochemical localization of SRs was carried out in the testes of F(1), F(2) and F(3) generation adult rats.
KEY FINDINGS:
A significant increase in post implantation loss and a decrease in litter size and sperm count and motility were observed in the F(1) male offspring. A reduction in the testicular expression profile of SRs was observed. These effects were very prominent in the subsequent F(2) and F(3) generations.
SIGNIFICANCE:
Perinatal exposure to environmentally relevant doses of BPA affects the male germ line, leading to impairments in the fertility of F(1) male offspring and their subsequent F(2) and F(3) generations.
Where to from here?
Talk to one of our Naturopaths about how this could be affecting you by calling 1800 RED TENT (1800 733 836) or email us as info@redtent.com.au.