Home- Bisphenol A (BPA) in baby bottles

Bisphenol A (BPA) in baby bottles

Bisphenol A (BPA) became highly publicised a few years ago after testing results showed a possible side-effect in baby rats. It is an ingredient which has been used since the 1950's in the manufacture of some plastics. One of these plastics is "polycarbonate", a hard plastic used to manufacture many plastic products including baby bottles. BPA is the element which cause plastic to harden.

What does the research involve?

The U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences's National Toxicology Program has warned in a new report that "the possibility that bisphenol A may alter human development cannot be dismissed." The basic function of rat, mouse and human cells that take up BPA are alike. Research indicates that developing rats and mice exposed to BPA are more likely to display brain abnormalities, and develop cancer later in life. As an example, the "locus coeruleus" is usually larger in female rat brains. This is an area of the rat brain linked to fear. When male rats were exposed to low levels of BPA this resulted in them developing a female-size locus coeruleus, which can result in behavioural activity changes such as anxiety. The dosage used in the animal studies was similar to those amounts humans are exposed to at present.

The Canadian Health Minister Mr. Clement said that negative effects of BPA in humans normally occur at levels much greater than those we are exposed to. However, this may not be an accurate assessment for newborns and infants. Mr Clement said early development is sensitive to BPA.

The U.S.'s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) consider BPA to be safe after studies that have been undertaken largely by the chemicals industry.

The executive director of the Polycarbonate/BPA global group of the American Chemistry Council claims that BPA does not pose a risk for adult humans. It is not clear whether there is any risk posed to infants which would be enough to cause damage. The director acknowledges that there are several studies providing limited evidence of harm in animals, but believes there is no scientific basis to take action.

Seeping - How BPA can be digested.

Low levels of BPA may seep out of polycarbonate bottles and into contents being consumed. It will seep faster after a lot of wear and tear, which looks like "scratch marks" on the bottle. It can also seep faster when the bottle is exposed to hot liquid.

What can you do?

New Zealand has not announced any warnings about BPA as there is on conclusive evidence that it has any effect on infant humans in the amounts that we are exposed to. There is no need to change the bottles you intend on using for your baby. If you are using Polycarbonate bottles and are concerned about BPA, you can take precautions to decrease likelihood of BPA passing into bottle contents:

a. do not put hot or boiling water in bottles, or overheat liquids.
b. if you have used Polycarbonate bottles for one child, buy new ones for you next baby - avoid recycling them.
c. do not buy second-hand bottles.
d. throw away bottles that appear to have wear in the form of scratch marks
e. avoid using a dishwasher to wash bottles as the harsh detergent can cause accelerated wear

What are the alternatives?

If you are still concerned about BPA there are other products already available. If you would prefer an alternative to PC bottles, we can recommend


Nuk Glass Bottles These are available as a 120ml or a 240ml sized bottle. (Shatter-proof glass)	Nuk Breastmilk Bottles These are available in a pack of 3 and are made from Polypropylene. This is a BPA-free plastic, the safest plastic for storing breastmilk.	Nuk First Choice Glass Bottles These are wideneck glass bottles, available in 120ml, or 240ml size. (Shatter proof glass)	Avent PES Bottles These are wideneck PES bottles, which is a BPA-free plastic, available in 125ml, or 250ml size.