Not SAFE for BABY BOTTLES - Is FDA wrong AGAIN???
By redkathy
@redkathy (3374)
United States
November 1, 2008 11:46am CST
OK here we go again with the FDA- This article claims that according to a panel of toxicology experts this chemical bisphenol A (BPA), widely used in baby bottles and wrappings for food may be linked to cancer, diabetes, heart disease and developmental delays in children. They use words like may be, some concern, and more likely.
Here are some highlights of the article-
[i]
"The panel of toxicologists had been convened by the FDA after the agency ruled that BPA was safe at current exposure levels -- a stance that prompted criticism from some lawmakers and consumer groups."
"The FDA's position on BPA has been controversial because it contradicted more than 100 studies, as well as a finding by the U.S. National Toxicology Program, that there was "some concern" that BPA may affect the brain and behavioral development in fetuses, infants and small children, the Post said."
"In September, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association said that people with high levels of BPA were more likely to have heart disease, including heart attack, or diabetes. High BPA levels increased the risk for these diseases by 39 percent, the researchers reported."
"Earlier this month, Canada moved to ban plastic baby bottles containing BPA. Several U.S. states are considering restricting BPA use."[/i]
Read the full article here http://www.healthier.com/Article.jsp?aid=9844
If they don't know, how are we supposed to know? And who are we supposed to believe?
What position do you take, ban the chemical and be safe? Use the chemical and let's see what happens??
5 people like this
9 responses
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
1 Nov 08
These are the sorts of things that annoy the living heck out of me. Plastic bottles have been used for the longest time... I used them when I was a baby, and all of my children have.
Now suddenly experts are concerned about things we've been using for a few decades?? I mean come on! Everyday they come up with something new we need to be concerned about. Before you know it we're literally going to be living in eco-friendly, non toxic bubbles... but the next day they'll say even our bubbles are not safe.
And I hate what all these experts are doing to us. Suddenly all this plastic is going to be banned, for no clear cut reason since nobody can agree on whether or not it's truly hazardous, and we'll have to find something more expensive to use, which will raise food prices in the cases of the plastic food wrappings. Then a few years later they'll decide that the new items being used are even more unsafe.
Well, I've got 1 child still on bottles, and no, I'm not going to run out and find a different bottle to use for him. All of my children have used the same type of bottle, and never had any problems, actually my children are quite smart for their age groups... all except the oldest who has learning disability but that's passed down from his father.
1 person likes this
@mommyboo (13174)
• United States
3 Nov 08
Yeah, see my post about how 'experts' and 'studies' are constantly contradicting themselves! I thought they were SUPPOSED to run tests and studies BEFORE things were released to the general public! After things are released to the general public, they should be deemed safe due to HELLO - studies before being released!
Like you, I am very worried that along with a ban will come increased costs - I do not want ANY INCREASED COSTS! I'm sick and tired of being scalped already by everybody making a profit off things I NEED! If you're going to ban something, you had damn well better make the replacement THE SAME COST OR CHEAPER!!!
I mean, for shame. I heard something about something in disposable diapers possibly causing infertility. I know SO MANY PEOPLE who wore disposable diapers! Some of them have now had 7 kids. Infertility? Maybe one in a million. Maybe the person was going to be infertile anyway. I happen to believe that people who have reactions to things that do not affect everybody just are sensitive to certain things in the first place. I don't believe that there are as many 'blanket bad things' as experts believe. Maybe a few people experience symptoms or reactions. That doesn't mean that it's bad for everybody and will suddenly cause a plague. Case in point - some people are extremely sensitive to caffeine or sugar. They avoid it because it makes them shaky or moody or crazy. I can have both caffeine and sugar and... nothing. You probably would notice no difference whatsoever unless I drank a pot of coffee with 12 teaspoons of sugar in it LOL! I would likely feel better after a cup though. 
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
1 Nov 08
I have known about the dangers of BPA for sometime now and even did an article about it for Associated Content. Our wonderful FDA is the only one that has been holding out about the dangers of this chemical, while most other countries have completely banned it...makes you wonder the competence of the FDA. I think anything that contains a chemical that has the potential of all those dangers should be banned...why wait and do a "let's see" position and risk the health of people.
1 person likes this
@mommyboo (13174)
• United States
3 Nov 08
This is really annoying to me, WHY would the FDA try to hide something, it's not like other places have anything to gain by warning us, do they? I remember when Canada banned it, I was hearing a lot about it on the internet and from people. Why was it even put in plastics in the first place? I'm not interested in suddenly not using plastic, I just don't know why there were so many evil chemicals allowed IN PLASTIC to begin with! Especially in conjunction with FOOD!
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
1 Nov 08
u really don't know what to do. if i had a baby i don't guess i would use it. better be safe than sorry.alot of times tho i think it's a bunch of hooey.
@moonlitmagikchild (22181)
• United States
2 Nov 08
i say ban the chemicals.. i swear i think the fda is trying to kill us!! one minute things are safe.. next minute its deadly.. ugh
@savypat (20216)
• United States
1 Nov 08
Me, I'm getting rid of all my plastic food containers, it's just to hard to tell what is good and what isn't. I've tried looking for the bottome number and you can't even read them on a lot of that stuff. So it's back to glass for me.
@ahgong (10064)
• Singapore
6 Nov 08
I thought these findings were released quite a while back.
That is why a lot of parents are avoiding bottles that contains BPA.
Cos this BPA will turn toxic or something when the bottle is heated up. And this toxic will mix with the liquids contained inside. And when ingested, there are some adverse side effects when used on a long term basis.
When is the article dated?
@desireeo (595)
• Philippines
1 Nov 08
Of all the things that should contain harmful chemicals. Can you imagine your baby ingesting those harmful chemicals knowing that this could cost them their life? Because there is a need to buy these things I think we should be more careful and discern which one is safer to use. For bottles, we can always try the ones made of glass. train your baby to lay off feeding bottles at an early age and avoid using plastic products like plates and spoons if it can be helped.
Do avoid wrapping foods in plastic or use plastic utensils especially on warm foods. I think we should all be more vigilant. We are living in a very dangerous era where none is safe anymore even the foods we eat. The government should take serious actions against harmful chemicals and fund research for alternative solutions.
don't ever use the chemical if you're not sure. don't wait for something to happen because we might not be able to reverse the results, God forbid!
@deathtofluffy (74)
• United States
3 Nov 08
Better safe than sorry. For one reason or another, I believe it better for us to give our babies' bottles that can not be linked to cancer (even if it's just a slim chance) than possibly give them cancer.
