If you care about your health, you probably care about what is in your products. If you care about what is in your products, you have probably heard of BPA. BPA is one of those things that shows up in the news, on packaging, and in consumer guides all the time. But what exactly is BPA? Is it an ingredient? Is it harmful? Should you really be avoiding BPA? Does using BPA free products really make a difference?
Sometimes, going down the rabbit hole can lead you to more questions than answers, but knowing what is in your products will give you the power to choose for yourself. In this article, we want to talk a little about what BPA is, what it has been linked to regarding public health, how consumer goods have changed as a result of consumer education, and some amazing BPA free products.
What is BPA?
BPA stands for bisphenol A. BPA and is a synthesized chemical used in the production of certain polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. BPA is the starting ingredient in the making of these plastics, and using BPA produces a desirable plastic product. BPA plastics are hard, lightweight, flexible, and clear; the perfect formula for mass-produced food and beverage packaging. BPA plastics have been used in consumer goods since the 1960s, most commonly found in plastic food and beverage storage containers.
While you may have heard that you should avoid plastic water bottles if you are trying to avoid BPA, many consumers have no idea just how many of the products they use every day contain the same chemical. Here are some common consumer goods that contain BPA:
- Cans: You may be surprised to learn that the simple aluminum cans you are used to seeing at the store actually contain BPA. Almost all cans used for storing foods like soup, vegetables, baby food, pet food, soda, beer, or coffee fall into this category. In cans, the presence of BPA takes the form of an epoxy liner used to keep the can leak proof.
- Plastic Bottles: Until recently, all plastic bottles contained BPA as a result of their manufacturing. Since BPA is commonly used as the initial ingredient in the production of hard, clear plastic, most beverage containers also contain BPA. Common consumer products that contained and may still contain BPA include baby bottles, water bottles, soda bottles, sports drink bottles, reusable hard plastic water bottles, and single use plastic cups.
- Lids: Though jars and other glass items may not contain BPA, the lids that seal them likely do. Aluminum lids are often sealed with the same coating used in cans.
- Baby Products: Pacifiers, baby bottles, baby bottle tops, and other plastic baby products often contain BPA. This includes baby foods, which may be jarred in glass, but be exposed to BPA via the lid.
- Receipts: Receipts are printed using thermal paper, not ink. Thermal paper is covered in a thin dusting of powdered BPA, which when handled can be absorbed into the skin.
BPA and Public Health
Now you know what BPA is, and where you can find it, but that still doesn’t answer whether you should be using products that contain BPA or not. BPA can seep into food or beverages from their containers, exposing consumers to absorbing the chemical. Though rates of BPA found in foods are considered ‘safe’ by the Food and Drug Administration, BPA has been linked to certain medical conditions and health risks.
BPA is a synthetic estrogen, which may disrupt the health of certain individuals. Babies, people with weakened or compromised immune systems, and senior citizens are most susceptible to the effects of BPA. BPA has been linked to the following conditions:
- Infertility: Because BPA is an estrogen, it may interact with estrogen receptors, which can play a role in both male and female infertility.
- Precocious puberty:A condition which causes a child to go through the process of puberty earlier than they should.
- Hormone dependent cancers:This includes breast and prostate cancers.
- Metabolic and hormone disorders
In research and testing done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), BPA was found to be present in nearly all test participants. These results suggest that, with so many plastic and BPA filled products on the market, BPA exposure is widespread and universally present. While low levels of BPA may not have an adverse impact on your general health, continued and prolonged exposure may increase your risk of developing certain conditions. Young children, developing fetuses, pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals whose health is already compromised will be at a higher risk of being negatively affected by BPA exposure.
Particular concern has been expressed in the potential for BPA levels to rise as products are reused and handled. Water from plastic water bottles in hot cars may have higher levels of BPA, as heating BPA plastics may cause the chemical to release at a higher rate. Similarly, BPA plastic products like plates, bowls, and cups may exposure the user to higher rates of BPA if washed in hot water, in the dishwasher, or if scratched during cleaning.
Changes to Consumer Goods
The Age of the Internet changed how consumers select and purchase products. Now, with more information than ever right at our fingertips, consumers are learning to self advocate and learn for themselves what they are putting in their bodies. A massive benefit that has come from this is that consumers are able to educate one another, gain information regarding the making and selling of their favorite products, and play a more active role as a consumer.
Along with the surge of the Internet, the early 2000s came with more interest from consumers and the government regarding the making and selling of consumer goods. Shocked to find that so many consumer goods contained this chemical, and upon learning the potential side effects of BPA absorption, consumers began to demand a change in how plastic manufacturing was regulated.
As more and more consumers and states began to take notice of the harmful chemicals they had been exposing themselves and their families to, new legislation began to be created. The following states have implemented BPA restrictions according to the National Conference of State Legislatures:
- New York
The majority of the restrictions in these states are in regards to the sale of goods containing BPA that are intended to be used by children. These restrictions have reduced the amount of BPA used in the manufacturing of plastics, but by no means halted it. Though these 12 states have set in motion what could mean a stricter, safer era of consumer goods manufacturing in the U.S., the other 38 states remain quiet regarding the use of BPA. With the risk of BPA exposure still high, consumers have unfortunately been given the responsibility of ensuring the products they use are safe.
BPA Free and Eco-Friendly
Beware the plastic water bottle: the most common culprit containing BPA. Though it may not be possible to avoid BPA entirely, taking a few simple steps can save you from excessive exposure. One of the best ways to do this is by replacing your plastic water bottles with a reusable water bottle. Plastic water bottles are manufactured using BPA, which can leach into the water they store. When exposed to heat, the BPA in plastic water bottles will increase, leaving you vulnerable to excessive BPA absorption.
Besides being linked to infertility, breast and prostate cancer, and other serious medical conditions, plastic bottles account for a huge amount of global pollution. Plastic bottles are a hugely popular consumer goods, and despite their recyclable nature, 91% of plastic water bottles end up not being recycled. Plastic water bottles are also not biodegradable, nor do they decompose. Chances are good nearly every plastic bottle you use in your lifetime will live in a landfill for centuries before it will even begin to break down.
Wowe Lifestyle has created the perfect eco-friendly alternative to single use BPA plastic water bottles: a 25oz Stainless Steel Water Bottle with a bamboo lid. Made from stainless steel, these BPA free water bottles are the perfect thing to bring on a hike, to class, or to work. There is no need to worry about this bottle heating up and exposing you to harmful BPA, there is none! This bottle is double vacuum sealed, perfect for hot or cold drinks, and features a bamboo lid for an extra touch of eco-friendly charm.
Buying a reusable Stainless Steel Water Bottle from Wowe is a great way to start your BPA free journey. Simply eliminating hard plastic drink containers from your lifestyle can help keep you healthy, save you money, and help reduce waste. A reusable water bottle isn’t just good for your health, it’s good for the planet.
Are you interested in learning more about what’s in your favorite products? Visit Wowe Lifestyle to learn about more healthy and eco-friendly alternatives, and for tips on going green!
Ikiwa unajali afya yako, labda unajali kile kilicho ndani ya bidhaa zako. Ikiwa unajua nini ni BPA, labda umesikia juu yake. BPA ni moja ya vitu ambavyo huonekana katika habari, kwenye ufungaji, na katika miongozo ya watumiaji wakati wote. Lakini BPA ni nini hasa? Je, ni kiungo? Je, ni yenye kudhuru? Je, kweli unapaswa kuepuka BPA? Je, kutumia bidhaa zisizo na BPA kunaweza kufanya tofauti? Wakati mwingine, kwenda chini ya shimo la sungura inaweza kukusababisha maswali zaidi kuliko majibu, lakini kujua nini ndani ya bidhaa zako kukupa nguvu ya kuchagua mwenyewe. Katika makala hii, tunataka kuzungumza kidogo kuhusu nini BPA ni, nini imekuwa kushikamana na kuhusu afya ya umma, jinsi bidhaa za watumiaji wamebadilika kama matokeo ya elimu ya watumiaji, na baadhi ya BPA bure bidhaa ya ajabu. BPA ni nini? BPA (Bisphenol A) ni kemikali ya kemikali inayotumiwa katika utengenezaji wa plastiki za polycarbonate na resini za epoxy. BPA ni kiungo cha msingi katika utengenezaji wa plastiki, na kwa kutumia BPA hutengeneza bidhaa ya plastiki inayotamaniwa. BPA ni plastiki ngumu, nyepesi, rahisi, na wazi, ambayo ni mbinu bora kwa ajili ya vyakula na vinywaji vya uzalishaji wa wingi. BPA imekuwa ikitumika katika bidhaa za watumiaji tangu miaka ya 1960 na kwa kawaida hupatikana katika vyombo vya kuhifadhi vyakula na vinywaji. Ingawa unaweza kuwa umesikia kwamba unapaswa kuepuka chupa za maji za plastiki ikiwa unajaribu kuepuka BPA, watumiaji wengi hawana wazo ni bidhaa ngapi wanazotumia kila siku zina kemikali hiyo hiyo. Bidhaa za kawaida za watumiaji zina BPA: - Makopo: Huenda ukashangaa kujua kwamba makopo ya kawaida ya alumini unayozoea kuona dukani kwa kweli yana BPA. Karibu makopo yote yanayotumiwa kuhifadhi vyakula kama vile supu, mboga, chakula cha watoto, chakula cha wanyama-vipenzi, soda, bia, au kahawa yanaanguka katika jamii hii. Katika makopo, uwepo wa BPA huchukua fomu ya liner ya epoxy inayotumiwa kuweka ushahidi wa kuvuja kwa makopo. - Chupa za plastiki: Hadi hivi karibuni, chupa zote za plastiki zilikuwa na BPA kwa sababu ya utengenezaji wao. Kwa kuwa BPA hutumiwa kama kiungo cha kwanza katika utengenezaji wa plastiki ngumu, wazi, chombo cha vinywaji vingi pia kina BPA. Bidhaa za kawaida za watumiaji ambazo zilikuwa na BPA na zinaweza bado kuwa na BPA ni pamoja na chupa za watoto, chupa za maji, chupa za soda, chupa za vinywaji vya michezo, chupa za maji za plastiki ngumu zinazoweza kutumiwa tena, na vikombe vya plastiki vya matumizi moja. - Vifuniko: Ingawa vyombo na vitu vingine vya kioo huenda visikuwa na BPA, vifuniko vinavyovifunga huenda vikiwa hivyo. Mara nyingi vifuniko vya alumini hufungwa kwa kifuniko hichohicho kinachotumiwa katika makopo. - Bidhaa za watoto: Mara nyingi vipodozi, chupa za watoto, vifuniko vya chupa za watoto, na bidhaa nyingine za plastiki za watoto huwa na BPA. Hii inahusisha vyakula vya watoto, ambavyo vinaweza kuhifadhiwa katika glasi, lakini vinaweza kufunuliwa kwa BPA kupitia kifuniko. - Mapato: Mapato huchapishwa kwa kutumia karatasi ya joto, si wino. Karatasi ya joto imefunikwa na BPA ya unga, ambayo wakati inashughulikiwa inaweza kufyonzwa kwenye ngozi. BPA na Afya ya Umma Sasa unajua nini BPA ni, na ambapo unaweza kuipata, lakini hiyo bado haijibu kama unapaswa kutumia bidhaa ambazo zina BPA au la. BPA inaweza kuingia kwenye vyakula au vinywaji kutoka kwenye vyombo vyao, na kuwafanya watumiaji wavute kemikali hiyo. Ingawa viwango vya BPA vinavyopatikana katika vyakula vinachukuliwa kuwa salama na Idara ya Chakula na Dawa, BPA imeunganishwa na hali fulani za matibabu na hatari za afya. BPA ni estrojeni ya synthetic, ambayo inaweza kuharibu afya ya watu fulani. Watoto wachanga, watu wenye mfumo wa kinga dhaifu au uliodhoofika, na wazee-wazee ndio walio hatarini zaidi kwa madhara ya BPA. BPA ina uhusiano na hali zifuatazo: - Ujamaa: Kwa sababu BPA ni estrojeni, inaweza kuingiliana na receptors ya estrojeni, ambayo inaweza kuwa na jukumu katika ukosefu wa uzazi wa kiume na wa kike. - Precocious puberty: Hali ambayo husababisha mtoto kwenda kupitia mchakato wa puberty mapema kuliko wanapaswa. -Kansa zinazohusiana na homoni: Hii inajumuisha kansa za matiti na prostate. Katika utafiti na upimaji uliofanywa na Vituo vya Kudhibiti na Kuzuia Magonjwa (CDC), BPA iligunduliwa kuwapo katika karibu washiriki wote wa mtihani. Matokeo haya yanaonyesha kwamba, na bidhaa nyingi za plastiki na BPA zilizojaa kwenye soko, mfiduo wa BPA ni wa kuenea na unaopatikana ulimwenguni. Ingawa viwango vya chini vya BPA vinaweza kuwa na athari mbaya kwa afya yako ya jumla, mfiduo wa kuendelea na wa muda mrefu unaweza kuongeza hatari yako ya kuendeleza hali fulani. Watoto wadogo, watoto wachanga, wanawake wajawazito, wazee, na watu ambao afya yao tayari imeharibiwa watakuwa katika hatari kubwa ya kuathiriwa vibaya na mfiduo wa BPA. Wasiwasi wa pekee umeonyeshwa katika uwezekano wa viwango vya BPA kuongezeka wakati bidhaa zinatumiwa tena na kushughulikiwa. Maji kutoka chupa za maji za plastiki katika magari yenye joto inaweza kuwa na viwango vya juu vya BPA, kwani kupokanzwa kwa plastiki ya BPA inaweza kusababisha kemikali hiyo kutolewa kwa kiwango cha juu. Kwa mfano, bidhaa za plastiki za BPA kama vile sahani, bakuli, na vikombe zinaweza kumfahamisha mtumiaji kwa viwango vya juu vya BPA ikiwa huoshwa kwa maji moto, katika mashine ya kuosha vyombo, au ikiwa imekwaruzwa wakati wa kusafisha. Mabadiliko ya Bidhaa za Watumiaji Umri wa Mtandao ulibadilisha jinsi watumiaji huchagua na kununua bidhaa. Sasa, na habari zaidi kuliko hapo awali, watumiaji wanajifunza kujitegemea na kujifunza kwa wenyewe kile wanachoweka katika miili yao. Faida kubwa ambayo imetokana na hii ni kwamba watumiaji wanaweza kuelimishana, kupata habari kuhusu utengenezaji na uuzaji wa bidhaa zao za kupendwa, na kucheza jukumu la kazi zaidi kama watumiaji. Pamoja na kuongezeka kwa mtandao, mwishoni mwa miaka ya 2000 ilikuja na maslahi zaidi kutoka kwa watumiaji na serikali kuhusu utengenezaji na uuzaji wa bidhaa za watumiaji. Wakiwa na wasiwasi kwamba bidhaa nyingi za watumiaji zilikuwa na kemikali hii, na baada ya kujifunza athari za uwezekano wa kunyonya BPA, watumiaji walianza kudai mabadiliko katika jinsi utengenezaji wa plastiki ulivyowekwa. Kwa kuwa watumiaji wengi na serikali zilianza kutambua kemikali zenye madhara ambazo walikuwa wakijifunua wenyewe na familia zao, sheria mpya zilianza kuundwa. New York, New York na New York City pia ziko chini ya sheria za BPA, na sheria hizo zinahusu kuuza bidhaa zenye BPA ambazo zinatumiwa na watoto. Vizuizi hivi vimepunguza kiasi cha BPA kinachotumiwa katika utengenezaji wa plastiki, lakini kwa njia yoyote haikukomesha. Ingawa majimbo hayo 12 yameanzisha kile kinachoweza kumaanisha enzi kali zaidi na salama ya utengenezaji wa bidhaa za watumiaji nchini Marekani, majimbo mengine 38 bado ni kimya kuhusu matumizi ya BPA. Kwa kuwa hatari ya kuambukizwa BPA bado ni kubwa, kwa bahati mbaya watumiaji wamepewa jukumu la kuhakikisha bidhaa wanazotumia ni salama. BPA Free na Eco-Friendly Jihadharini na chupa ya maji ya plastiki: mhalifu wa kawaida mwenye BPA. Ingawa huenda isiwezekane kuepuka BPA kabisa, kuchukua hatua chache rahisi zaweza kukuokoa usichukuliwe sana. Njia bora ya kufanya hivyo ni kubadilisha chupa za maji za plastiki na chupa za maji zinazotumika tena. Chupa za maji za plastiki hutengenezwa kwa kutumia BPA, ambayo inaweza kuvuja ndani ya maji wanayohifadhi. Wakati wa joto, BPA katika chupa za plastiki za maji huongezeka, na kukuacha ukiwa na uwezekano mkubwa wa kunyonya BPA kupita kiasi. Mbali na kuunganishwa na utasa, kansa ya matiti na ya tezi-kibofu, na hali nyingine mbaya za matibabu, chupa za plastiki huchangia kiasi kikubwa cha uchafuzi wa mazingira duniani. Chupa za plastiki ni bidhaa maarufu sana, na licha ya asili yao ya kuchakata, 91% ya chupa za plastiki za maji huishia kutotumiwa tena. Pia, chupa za maji za plastiki haziwezi kuharibiwa na viumbe wengine, wala hazivunjiki. Kuna uwezekano mkubwa kwamba karibu kila chupa ya plastiki unayotumia katika maisha yako itakaa katika mahali pa kuondoa taka kwa karne nyingi kabla ya kuanza kuharibika. Wowee Lifestyle imeanzisha chaguo bora la mazingira kwa chupa za maji za plastiki za BPA za matumizi moja: chupa ya maji ya chuma cha pua ya 25oz na kifuniko cha mianzi. Kutokana na ubora wa bidhaa, chupa hizi za maji za BPA ni bora kwa ajili ya kazi, mazoezi, au mazoezi. Hakuna haja ya kuwa na wasiwasi kuhusu chupa hii joto juu na kufichua wewe kwa BPA madhara, hakuna! Chupa hii ni double vacuum kufungwa, kamili kwa ajili ya vinywaji moto au baridi, na makala bamboo kifuniko kwa kugusa ziada ya charm mazingira ya kirafiki. Ununuzi wa chupa ya maji ya chuma cha pua ya reusable kutoka WoW ni njia nzuri ya kuanza safari yako ya bure ya BPA. Kuondoa vyombo vya plastiki vya kunywa kutoka kwa mtindo wako wa maisha kunaweza kukusaidia kuwa na afya, kuokoa pesa, na kusaidia kupunguza taka. Chupa ya maji inayoweza kutumiwa tena si nzuri tu kwa afya yako, ni nzuri kwa sayari. Je, una nia ya kujifunza zaidi kuhusu nini ni katika bidhaa yako favorite? Tembelea Wowe Lifestyle kujifunza kuhusu mbadala zaidi afya na mazingira ya kirafiki, na kwa vidokezo juu ya kwenda kijani!