Many BPA-free bottles contain a chemical that causes arrhythmia
A chemical found in many products labeled "BPA free" may produce many of the same health problems as the original chemical, including hyperactivity and cardiac arrhythmia, according to a pair of studies presented recently at the joint meeting of the International Society of Endocrinology and the Endocrine Society in Chicago.
"BPS, termed the safe alternative to BPA, may be equally as harmful to developing brains," said Deborah Kurrasch of the University of Calgary, lead researcher of one of the studies. "Society must place increased pressure on decision makers to remove all bisphenol compounds from manufacturing processes."
The "Safer" alternative is not so safe
Bisphenol A, or BPA, is a widely used chemical that is a known hormone disrupter and has been linked to health conditions as diverse as cancer, obesity, hyperactivity and reproductive problems.
Growing concern over the health effects of BPA has led many manufacturers to introduce "BPA free" products. Yet many -- although not all -- of these products rely on a closely related chemical, bisphenol S (BPS).
"BPS is one of the substitutes used in BPA-free products," said Hong-Sheng Wang of the University of Cincinnati, lead researcher of the second study. "There is implied safety in BPA-free products. The thing is, the BPA analogs -- and BPS is one of them -- have not been tested for safety in humans."
BPS disrupts multiple hormone pathways
In the first study, Kurrasch and her colleagues found that zebrafish that were exposed to BPS became hyperactive in a similar manner to those exposed to BPAhttp://dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=32616.
The study was designed to simulate prenatal chemical exposure, such as would occur in pregnant women exposed to BPA or BPS. Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos to the same BPA concentrations found in Alberta's Oldman River, a major drinking water source. They then counted how many neurons developed in the brain.
The researchers found that fish exposed to BPA had 170% more neurons at the time of peak neuronal birth than fish not exposed to any chemicals. Fish exposed to equivalent concentrations of BPS had 240% more. In addition, both BPA- and BPS-exposed fish demonstrated hyperactive behavior (as determined by movement tracking software) in a way that fish in non-exposed control groups did not.
The second study, which Wang called, "one of the first assessments of BPS' effect in mammalian primary cells or organs," found that BPS produced arrhythmiahttp://dreddyclinic.com/findinformation/hh/heartarrhythmias.php -- abnormalities in heart rhythm -- in a similar manner to BPA.
Researchers exposed approximately 50 rats to a 1-nanomolar dose of BPS, roughly equivalent to the concentrations that prior studies have found in human urine. The rats' hearts were stimulated with the hormone catecholamine to mimic a natural stress response, and then BPS was sent flowing through the arteries and into the pumping heart. A control group of 30 rats was treated with catecholamine, but not with BPS.
The researchers found that the hearts of the female rats (but not the male rats) exposed to BPS exhibited a rapid heartbeat (ventricular tachycardia) and extra heartbeats. This problem seemed to occur because BPS caused abnormal calcium cycling in a manner similar to that caused by BPA.
When the researchers blocked the estrogen receptors in the female rats, the BPS-induced arrhythmia eased, confirming an estrogen-mimicking role for BPS, much like BPA.
Notably, the Calgary researchers found that BPA, and perhaps also BPS, might disrupt hormones through pathways other than by mimicking estrogen. In the zebrafish study, BPA actually appeared to mimic testosterone, a predominantly male sex hormone http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=33259.
Wang's summary of the Cincinnati research could easily apply to both studies: "Our findings call into question the safety of BPA-free products containing BPS," he said. "BPS and other BPA analogs need to be evaluated before further use by humans."
Sources for this article include:
http://www.newswise.com/
http://www.newswise.com/articles/common-bpa-like-chemical-bps-disrupts-heart-rhythms-in-females
Read more
Showing posts with label #BPA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #BPA. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
New Report: BPA Commonly Found on U.S. Money
New Report: BPA Commonly Found on U.S. Money
According to a report recently released by the Washington-based group Safer Chemicals, a pro environmental lobby made up of green businesses, health care advocates, and citizen activist groups showed BPA contamination of the U.S. paper money supply.
Bisphenol-A, the infamous chemical that has been banned from baby bottles in Europe and Canada, is a well known component of the thermal-printed receipts most people stick in our wallets or purses after shopping. This constant proximity has allowed trace amounts of the compound to permanently leach into circulating dollars, and ultimately, onto our unsuspecting hands.
Researchers tested reciepts and dollar bills from twenty states, as well as Washington D.C., to see if BPA is found. They found high amounts of BPA on 11 of the 22 reciepts. They also found BPA on 21 of the 22 dollar bills tested!
The American Chemistry Council argues that the amount of BPA measured on U.S. currency was physiologically insignificant. And to some extent, they are correct.
The small amount of BPA found on paper money is of comparatively little concern when stacked against other sources, such as plastic food packaging and thermal receipts. But according to researchers, the real reason these findings should have us worried is they showcase the compound’s ability to soak into porous material like paper, or as other studies suggest, skin.
Ericka Schreder, scientist and lead author of the report:
“Our findings demonstrate that BPA cannot be avoided, even by the most conscious consumer. This unregulated use of large amounts of BPA is having unintended consequences, including exposure to people when we touch receipts.”
Why the Concern Over BPA?
Since the late 1950s, Bisphenol-A has been used widely in the manufacturing of certain types of plastics and epoxy resins. As of a few years ago, global production exceeded 2 million tons annually.
The vast majority of this was used in the creation of polycarbonate plastic – the clear, durable plastic commonly used in everyday items ranging from eyeglasses and DVDs, to dental fillings, and of course, baby and water bottles.
Scientists have been aware of BPAs potential risk since shortly after it was developed in the 1930s. Over the decades, particularly the last two, the substance has come under increasing scrutiny due to its possible hormone and neuro-chemical disturbing effects on humans. BPA has been linked to a wide range of increasingly common health concerns, including early onset of puberty, mental instability and depression, diabetes http://www.dreddyclinic.com/findinformation/dd/diabetes.php, and several forms of cancer.
The Solution to BPA Exposure?
The problem with Bisphenol-A is not its damaging effects on the human body, but rather its ubiquity. Despite a growing trend in recent years among North American and European manufacturers to develop BPA-free products, the compound is still found practically anywhere you turn your head.
Andy Igrejas, Director of the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families coalition:
“BPA on receipts, dollar bills, and in many other products, is a direct result of the absurdly lax controls on chemicals in the United States. The 112th Congress should make reform of the failed 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act a top legislative priority to protect American families for generations to come.” [1]
Considering one of the compound’s historic selling-points is its ability to make plastics stronger and longer lasting, this probably isn’t going to change any time soon. Until global regulatory measures are in place, making better consumer choices is probably the quickest route to reducing BPA exposure [2].
– Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM
References:
1. Washington Toxics Coalition and Safer Chemicals Healthy Families. BPA in dollar bills and receipts http://blog.saferchemicals.org/2010/12/on-the-money-bpa-in-dollar-bills-and-receipts.html. 2010 December 7.
2. The Environmental Magazine. How do I avoid risks from BPA plastics ? http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/bpa-free#slide-19
Read more
According to a report recently released by the Washington-based group Safer Chemicals, a pro environmental lobby made up of green businesses, health care advocates, and citizen activist groups showed BPA contamination of the U.S. paper money supply.
Bisphenol-A, the infamous chemical that has been banned from baby bottles in Europe and Canada, is a well known component of the thermal-printed receipts most people stick in our wallets or purses after shopping. This constant proximity has allowed trace amounts of the compound to permanently leach into circulating dollars, and ultimately, onto our unsuspecting hands.
Researchers tested reciepts and dollar bills from twenty states, as well as Washington D.C., to see if BPA is found. They found high amounts of BPA on 11 of the 22 reciepts. They also found BPA on 21 of the 22 dollar bills tested!
The American Chemistry Council argues that the amount of BPA measured on U.S. currency was physiologically insignificant. And to some extent, they are correct.
The small amount of BPA found on paper money is of comparatively little concern when stacked against other sources, such as plastic food packaging and thermal receipts. But according to researchers, the real reason these findings should have us worried is they showcase the compound’s ability to soak into porous material like paper, or as other studies suggest, skin.
Ericka Schreder, scientist and lead author of the report:
“Our findings demonstrate that BPA cannot be avoided, even by the most conscious consumer. This unregulated use of large amounts of BPA is having unintended consequences, including exposure to people when we touch receipts.”
Why the Concern Over BPA?
Since the late 1950s, Bisphenol-A has been used widely in the manufacturing of certain types of plastics and epoxy resins. As of a few years ago, global production exceeded 2 million tons annually.
The vast majority of this was used in the creation of polycarbonate plastic – the clear, durable plastic commonly used in everyday items ranging from eyeglasses and DVDs, to dental fillings, and of course, baby and water bottles.
Scientists have been aware of BPAs potential risk since shortly after it was developed in the 1930s. Over the decades, particularly the last two, the substance has come under increasing scrutiny due to its possible hormone and neuro-chemical disturbing effects on humans. BPA has been linked to a wide range of increasingly common health concerns, including early onset of puberty, mental instability and depression, diabetes http://www.dreddyclinic.com/findinformation/dd/diabetes.php, and several forms of cancer.
The Solution to BPA Exposure?
The problem with Bisphenol-A is not its damaging effects on the human body, but rather its ubiquity. Despite a growing trend in recent years among North American and European manufacturers to develop BPA-free products, the compound is still found practically anywhere you turn your head.
Andy Igrejas, Director of the Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families coalition:
“BPA on receipts, dollar bills, and in many other products, is a direct result of the absurdly lax controls on chemicals in the United States. The 112th Congress should make reform of the failed 1976 Toxic Substances Control Act a top legislative priority to protect American families for generations to come.” [1]
Considering one of the compound’s historic selling-points is its ability to make plastics stronger and longer lasting, this probably isn’t going to change any time soon. Until global regulatory measures are in place, making better consumer choices is probably the quickest route to reducing BPA exposure [2].
– Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM
References:
1. Washington Toxics Coalition and Safer Chemicals Healthy Families. BPA in dollar bills and receipts http://blog.saferchemicals.org/2010/12/on-the-money-bpa-in-dollar-bills-and-receipts.html. 2010 December 7.
2. The Environmental Magazine. How do I avoid risks from BPA plastics ? http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/bpa-free#slide-19
Read more
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
Exposure to chemicals could reduce sperm count
Exposure to chemicals could reduce sperm count
More reports detailing the damaging effects of exposure to chemicals have been released. Though important to both women and men, this particular finding is especially important to men. This includes their partners if they are wanting to start a family someday.
While much has been made about overheating laptops, bike seats that are narrow and antidepressants causing a reduction in the amount of a man's sperm, there is another, more sinister and less obvious issue. This is his exposure to chemicals on a frequent basis, including those chemicals that he might not even know about, or that he might not realize are harmful until they begin to make a difference in his life.
One way for men to be more aware of the potential issue is to know where he might come across these chemicals in his everyday life. There are two chemicals, in particular, that seem to have infiltrated almost every aspect of everyday life. These are bisphenol A, more popularly known as BPA, and phthalates.
BPA carriers
BPA is found in many plastics. Fortunately, as more effects become known about BPA http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=24435, many manufacturers are offering BPA-free alternatives. However, there are some surprising sources of BPA that a man might be exposed to during his everyday life, and not even realize the harm they can cause. For example, up to 40 percent of all cash register receipts have a BPA coating on them.
A more common way for a man to be exposed to BPAs is through canned foods, though. This is because almost all cans used in food production contain BPAs.
Phthalates carriers
Phthalates are commonly associated with vinyl products, such as shower curtains, plastic bags, vinyl flooring and more products that a typical man will interact with on a daily basis. In addition, phthalates are also found in many personal hygiene products including shampoos, soaps and cleaners.
Other sources of chemicals
There are a number of other chemicals that can cause a man's sperm count to plummet. PCBs are chemicals whose use has been banned. However, there is such a great amount that has accumulated in the environment that many of the most popular species of fish are laden with it. Read more
More reports detailing the damaging effects of exposure to chemicals have been released. Though important to both women and men, this particular finding is especially important to men. This includes their partners if they are wanting to start a family someday.
While much has been made about overheating laptops, bike seats that are narrow and antidepressants causing a reduction in the amount of a man's sperm, there is another, more sinister and less obvious issue. This is his exposure to chemicals on a frequent basis, including those chemicals that he might not even know about, or that he might not realize are harmful until they begin to make a difference in his life.
One way for men to be more aware of the potential issue is to know where he might come across these chemicals in his everyday life. There are two chemicals, in particular, that seem to have infiltrated almost every aspect of everyday life. These are bisphenol A, more popularly known as BPA, and phthalates.
BPA carriers
BPA is found in many plastics. Fortunately, as more effects become known about BPA http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=24435, many manufacturers are offering BPA-free alternatives. However, there are some surprising sources of BPA that a man might be exposed to during his everyday life, and not even realize the harm they can cause. For example, up to 40 percent of all cash register receipts have a BPA coating on them.
A more common way for a man to be exposed to BPAs is through canned foods, though. This is because almost all cans used in food production contain BPAs.
Phthalates carriers
Phthalates are commonly associated with vinyl products, such as shower curtains, plastic bags, vinyl flooring and more products that a typical man will interact with on a daily basis. In addition, phthalates are also found in many personal hygiene products including shampoos, soaps and cleaners.
Other sources of chemicals
There are a number of other chemicals that can cause a man's sperm count to plummet. PCBs are chemicals whose use has been banned. However, there is such a great amount that has accumulated in the environment that many of the most popular species of fish are laden with it. Read more
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
BPA exposure causes erectile dysfunction and other male sexual problems
BPA exposure causes erectile dysfunction and other male sexual problems
Big Pharma bombards consumers with ads for drugs to treat erectile dysfunction (ED), the politically correct term for what used to be known as "impotence". Erectile dysfunction, the repeated inability to get or maintain an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse, is a problem affecting between 15 million to 30 million American men, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). But why?
While many people assume ED is an inevitable part of growing older or something men experience for no particular reason, a just released study raises another disturbing possibility. It turns out the chemical Bisphenol-A (BPA) can reduce sexual function in men.
The Kaiser Permanente research, published in the journal Human Reproduction, followed 230 Chinese men who were exposed to BPA in their workplace for five years and compared them to 404 others who worked in a factory where no BPA was present. The results were dramatic. The men working in facilities where they were exposed to BPA had four times the risk of erectile dysfunction and seven times more risk of difficulties with ejaculation than their counterparts who weren't regularly exposed to BPA. The BPA-exposed men had also had dramatically lowered sexual desire and overall less satisfaction with their sex life than men without the chemical exposure.
Read more
Big Pharma bombards consumers with ads for drugs to treat erectile dysfunction (ED), the politically correct term for what used to be known as "impotence". Erectile dysfunction, the repeated inability to get or maintain an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse, is a problem affecting between 15 million to 30 million American men, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). But why?
While many people assume ED is an inevitable part of growing older or something men experience for no particular reason, a just released study raises another disturbing possibility. It turns out the chemical Bisphenol-A (BPA) can reduce sexual function in men.
The Kaiser Permanente research, published in the journal Human Reproduction, followed 230 Chinese men who were exposed to BPA in their workplace for five years and compared them to 404 others who worked in a factory where no BPA was present. The results were dramatic. The men working in facilities where they were exposed to BPA had four times the risk of erectile dysfunction and seven times more risk of difficulties with ejaculation than their counterparts who weren't regularly exposed to BPA. The BPA-exposed men had also had dramatically lowered sexual desire and overall less satisfaction with their sex life than men without the chemical exposure.
Read more
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