Small Steps: Avoid Number 7 Plastics
April 27-May 12, 2008

By Linda Mason Hunter

I just returned to Iowa from Vancouver, British Columbia where news about bisphenol A (or BPA), an additive in plastic, is much in the news. BPA, a clear, hard plastic, is found in polycarbonate sports bottles, baby bottles, and the linings of aluminum cans, among other things. The nation of Canada is currently in a 60-day public comment period after three major national retailers pulled products containing BPA from their shelves. Seems BPA (a synthetic chemical made in laboratories, not found in nature) mimics estrogen in the human body, raising concerns about breast and prostate cancer, as well as early onset of puberty in girls and the feminization of little boys. Chances are, after these 60 days are up, the Canadian government will list BPA as a toxic substance and issue a ban, giving manufacturers the usual grace period of a year or more to phase out production.

Will the U.S. follow suit? Who knows! When news from Canada broke, Nalgene (a major U.S. sports bottle manufacturer) announced it would stop using BPA in its containers. Wal-Mart announced it will stop selling baby bottles containing BPA next year. Target has begun offering glass baby bottles. And Playtex, makers of baby bottles, announced it is phasing out those made with BPA.

That same week, the U.S. National Institute of Health announced that, “BPA did pose ‘some concern’ to infants, fetuses, and children.” The National Toxicology Program, a federal chemical research program, released a draft study stating there is “some concern” that low-level exposure to BPA leads to neural and behavioral impacts in unborn babies, infants, and small children. “Some concern” is not a casual phrase. It’s a carefully defined midpoint of a five-step spectrum ranging from “negligible” to “serious” concern.

What’s a wise consumer to do? Best to boycott BPA as best you can. Avoid plastics stamped "PC" for polycarbonate. They will be stamped on #7 plastics. However, not all #7 plastics are created equal. The recycling code #7 simply means multi-layered. It may not contain BPA. Look for the PC stamp to verify whether or not it contains BPA. If you don’t see PC stamped near the recycling code, best to contact the manufacturer and find out for sure what kind of plastic resin is used in the container.

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