Sep-16-2008
Recent findings by scientists have demonstrated that the greatly contentious chemical present in food containers and other domestic items known as bisphenol A is associated with heart ailments as well as type 2 diabetes. A study conducted by researches in the United Kingdom on approximately 1,500 individuals discovered that the urine of the people suffering from heart problems and diabetes had higher BPA intensity.
These findings have given rise to doubts and apprehensions regarding the safeguard of bisphenol A use among humans, particularly the adults. Hence, it is important to report on the issue. It may be mentioned here that the findings of the researchers regarding the threats of bisphenol A use have been published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
BPA is a chemical that forms an important ingredient in the production of an assortment of plastic consumer products. BPA is found in a wide range of products, including beverage containers, dental sealants as well as many plastic items used in the interiors of cars. Scientists studying the impact of BPA have noted that the substance is so widespread that it has been identified in over 90 per cent of the population in the United States. Nonetheless, the scientists are yet to ascertain the quantity of BPA that can be safe for human use.
The studies by researchers have found that rodents experience grave health problems like tumors and fertility disorders when they were exposed to BPA. On the other hand, researchers have now discovered that when small dosages of BPA are administered uninterruptedly, they influence the communication between the neurons in the brain enabling us to comprehend and memorize our understandings.
During a study conducted recently, researchers noted that when cans were heated to temperatures equivalent to the heat used during the sterilization procedure, BPA drained out of them. Following this finding, the Federal Health Minister of Canada has declared that the country would be the first to brand BPA as a hazardous material and ban the use of the substance in bottles meant for babies' use. According to researchers, this was the first ever study of its kind that discovered a link between the normal BPA levels of contact in humans with explicit health disorders.
In another study conducted by the British National Health and Nutrition Survey during 2003-2004, researchers examined the BPA intensity in urine collected from 1,455 adults aged between 18 and 75. The study found that individuals whose BPA readings were in the highest 25 per cent faced three times the risk of suffering from cardiovascular problems and 2.4 times the hazard of contacting diabetes. Nonetheless, the study fails to ascertain if BPA led to diabetes and heart disease. The research also does not make any assertion that if it did how the chemical is responsible for the ailments.
Giving his opinion on the issue of BPA toxicity, Bend, a professor in the department of pathology, said that he personally doesn't feel very worried over the reports of the recent researches involving the chemical's use by humans. At the same time, he said that though BPA may result to a number of insistent diseases, the recent findings do not provide us with adequate information regarding the relation between BPA and diseases like heart disorders and diabetes. On the other hand, a representative of a prominent Canadian environmental promotion group remarked that the new researches uphold their demand for total ban on BPA use.
Meanwhile, the team conducting researches on BPA use and its effects on humans said that they were hopeful of releasing more information on their work later this year.
It may be mentioned here that bisphenol A is primarily used to manufacture clear plastic polycarbonate that are able to endure extreme temperatures. In addition, epoxy resin or synthetic polymeric compound are used for the internal lining of tin and aluminum containers to avoid decay of foodstuff and drinks contained in them.
Bisphenol A may be found in several items and products like hard clear plastic and colored water bottles, hard plastic baby feeding bottles, baby toys made from hard plastic, containers used for storing foodstuff, plastic bowls, plates and dishes made of hard plastic. In addition, bisphenol A is also present in tin and aluminum cans containing baked beans, vegetables, carbonated drinks and soup. Bisphenol A is also found in dental sealants used to fill up tooth cavities, electronic items and compact discs as well as sprays that check flames.
