More toxic scares

Last week it was formaldehyde levels in children's clothing.

Today, a web site visitor alerted me to the latest news scare in the US. The chemical Bisphenol-A (BPA) - which is commonly found in plastics and is known to leech out into food and liquids it is in contact with.

We already knew about the risks associated with using polycarbonate baby bottles and recommend the use of glass bottles instead.

However, it appears that Bisphenol-A is not just an ingredient in the plastics used in baby bottles, but toddler sipper cups and the resin lining of infant formula tins!

Tests showing the connection between Bisphenol-A (BPA) and health risks for children and pregnant women are numerous and conducted on both a national and international level.

Recently, 38 Independent Specialists in BPA toxicity from around the world issued a consensus statement saying that BPA present a clear risk to human health, including as a potential carcinogen and in abnormal sexual development.

Read more about research on BPA on the Environmental Working Group web site here http://www.ewg.org/featured/218. (EWG is a nonprofit research organization based in Washington, DC that uses the power of information to protect human health and the environment).

What you can do?
- breastfeeding is best!
- use glass bottles for bottle feeding
- use non-polycarbonate sippy cups.
Tommy Tippee easiflow insulated bottle is polypropylene with a silicon straw (available in NZ supermarkets) or Klean Kanteen (stainless steel, with non-BPA plastic sipper)
- if you introduce your children to using a small glass as early as practicable, then the sippy cup will only be needed for car journeys etc
- we are in the process of investigating whether the resin is used in organic formula cans
- switch your child to organic cows milk or A2 milk (after 12 months)

-tell others and spread the word ... public outcry is the fastest way to effect change!

...any other ideas appreciated!