On the heels of a Bisphenol-A study in humans showing possible links to diabetes, heart disease and liver abnormalities, the FDA reaffirms that it thinks BPA in products is just fine.

The study was published in JAMA today (here’s a link to the whole study), the same day that the FDA met to further discuss whether or not BPA in food packaging and bottles is safe.

What this study did was look at some of the health problems that have already been linked with BPA in animal studies to see if the same health problems have any correlation with BPA levels in people.  In animal studies, problems have turned up such as liver enzyme abnormalities and oxidative stress, lipid accumulation, pancreatic B-cell function (which can influence insulin and diabetes) and obesity.  Then they looked for those types of links, as well as heart disease, in people.

What they found was that those folks who had the highest BPA levels were 2.4 times more likely to have diabetes.  Those with high BPA levels were 3 times more likely to have heart disease.  And, three types of elevated liver enzymes were seen when BPA was higher.

But they didn’t look at infants and children.  From past study, we know that they are the ones most likely to have the highest levels of toxins in general and be at the highest risk for toxicity.  They only looked at people 18-74 years old.

The actual BPA exposure levels were below what is considered safe, so the study points to low levels as potentially being a problem.  We’ve seen that in animal studies as well.  That is especially something that industry doesn’t want to hear. Industry likes to say there is not enough of a toxin in products to cause a problem. But that’s not what we’ve been seeing in animal studies and that’s not what we are seeing in this study.

Just last month, the FDA stated that BPA in food packaging and bottles is safe.  This study challenges that view. Actually, that view was also challenged by the National Toxicology Program which is another federal agency.  They determined there was “some concern” that BPA could cause developmental problems in the brain and hormone systems of infants and children.

So, what to do?

Bisphenol A is found in polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins.  For instance,  some plastic bottles with the number 7.  It’s also found in the lining of canned goods.  These are things that we have a choice in when purchasing.

Luckily, manufacturers are producing more alternative products.  So, rather than wait for more evidence on the subject, it is becoming easier to be a proactive shopper now.  The precautionary principle in action.  And also, industry response to public demand.  That’s why Nalgene has phased out BPA in their water bottles.

Never put anything hot in plastic containers. Say no to #7.  Use #2 plastics that are HDPE (high density poly ethylene).  Another option is polypropylene which is #5.

Of course, there is always good old glass.

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