Moms across the US continue to have questions about Bisphenol-A. Questions typically include: what is it, why is BPA an issue, how do I identify it in plastic products, what are my options and where can I purchase alternatives? Medela is here to help.
What is BPA and why is it an issue?
BPA (bisphenol-A) is an industrial chemical used in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastic, a material used to manufacture many baby bottles. Questions have been raised regarding whether or not BPA is potentially harmful to human health. BPA continues to be in the news as a result of reports from several independent research groups, and an expert panel of 12 scientists convened by The National Toxicology Program (NTP) Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction (CERHR). The November 2007 final report states the expert panel expressed 'some concern' that, for infants and children and in utero, exposure to BPA causes neural and behavioral effects. The panel expressed minimal or negligible concern that, for adults, infants, and children or in utero, exposure to BPA causes other types of effects. The expert panel has not issued an opinion regarding whether current human exposures to BPA are a risk for human development and reproduction.
How do I know if this baby bottle contains BPA and what are my options?
Searching for alternatives can be a challenge for most as products made of polycarbonate may not be completely apparent. Polycarbonate is a hard and clear plastic which contains BPA. This is found in many baby bottle containers as well as other products. It is often recognized with the Recycle 7 symbol on the bottom of the container identifying it as polycarbonate. Polypropylene, which does not contain BPA, is easy to identify. It is a soft, semi-cloudy plastic and typically has the Recycle 5 symbol on the bottom of the containers.
Bisphenol A Teething Rings
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