BPA and the AAP
Like other pediatricians across the United States, today I received an E-Breaking News Alert from the American Academy of Pediatrics concerning news about bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical used in many hard plastic products (including baby bottles and sippy cups) and in the lining of many metal cans (including cans of infant or toddler formula). Now the panel of independent experts convened by the FDA has sharply criticized the previous FDA announcements that BPA is safe for infants and children in common exposure amounts. I agree with this criticism, and while there are many questions that still remain about the effect of BPA on kids, I can’t see a scientific basis for declaring it safe. I recommend that parents take prudent steps to decrease their children’s BPA exposure, such as breastfeeding, using BPA-free bottles, cups, teethers, etc., such as those made by BornFree*, and if formula is used, choosing powdered formula where practical (the BPA is more likely to contaminate a liquid), and avoiding heating any BPA-containing container. I also recommend avoiding phthalates and PVC in plastics. For more information, check out Raising Baby Green.
The FDA now suggests that parents who are concerned should discuss the matter with their pediatricians. While the AAP acknowledges the ongoing controversy about the safety of BPA, it alerted pediatricians and provided them with advice to give parents who want to reduce BPA exposure:
Advice for Parents
Breastfeeding is one way to reduce potential BPA exposure. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for a minimum of 4 months but preferably for 6 months. Breastfeeding should be continued, with the addition of complementary foods, at least through the first 12 months of age and thereafter as long as mutually desired by mother and infant.
Parents considering switching children from liquid to powdered formula should be reminded that mixing procedures may differ, so they should pay special attention in preparing formula from powder.
Parents with babies on specialized formulas to address medical conditions should not switch children off those formulas, as the known risks of doing so would outweigh any potential risks posed by BPA.
Concerned parents can take the following precautionary measures to reduce babies’ exposure to BPA:
- Avoid clear plastic bottles or containers with the #7 imprinted on them. Many contain BPA
- Consider using certified or identified BPA-free plastic bottles
- Use bottles made of opaque plastic. These bottles (made of polyethylene or polypropylene) do not contain BPA
- Glass bottles can be an alternative, but be aware of the risk of injury to baby or parent if the bottle is dropped or broken
- Because heat may cause the release of BPA from plastic, consider the following:
- Do not boil polycarbonate bottles
- Do not heat polycarbonate bottles in the microwave
- Do not wash polycarbonate bottles in the dishwasher
- Risks associated with giving infants inappropriate (home-made condensed milk) formulas or alternative (soy or goat) milk are far greater than the potential effects of BPA
* Dr. Greene teamed up with BornFree in September of 2008 to help teach families about important issues concerning BPA, phthalates, and PVC.
| October 31st, 2008 at 7:59 am
Ok, I understand the risks and have removed all known exposures to my kids, but with my second baby (now 2.5 y/o) we used Dr Browns bottles not knowing they contained BPA. Now what?
Seriously, now what? I used these bottles to warm pumped breast milk. Thought I was doing the right thing. So now I know I exposed her. So now what? What is to be done? Is she domed to have cancer? Is there any recommened cleaning process other than just hope she grows out of it. I’m very frustrated with this incomplete information.
Thanks for helping to educate parents that may still have the opportunity to protect their kids, but what about past exposure.
| November 5th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
Stephanie,
Thanks for your question.
I have two thoughts:
1) Is she doomed to have cancer? No. Remember, almost all babies have been exposed to BPA for many years now. Yes, the rates of some cancers have been going up during that time — BUT most people don’t get cancer.
A little girl who used a bottle containing BPA 2 or 3 years ago isn’t suddenly going to have a cancer rate higher than everyone else. Going forward, kids who don’t get exposed to BPA may have a lower rate — that’s what I’m hoping for.
2) It looks like good nutrition may be able to erase the added risk from BPA. In a fascinating study from Duke University in 2007, when animals exposed to BPA got extra folate, the damage disappeared. The authors say, “Thus, the ability
to counteract negative environmental toxicant effects…via in utero or possibly even adult nutritional supplementation, has the potential to protect human health in the present and future generations…”
In other words, getting plenty of folate during pregnancy may be protective — and it also may do the trick when kids take it later, or even as adults.
What you did by breastfeeding WAS the right thing. I also recommend that toddlers and older kids get a multivitamin with folate and vitamin D to be sure they are getting at least the baseline of these and other key nutrients.