Baby Toxic Bottle

Baby’s Toxic Bottle

Executive Summary

Bisphenol A, a hormone-disrupting

chemical that is the building block of polycarbonate plastic, has been found to leach out of six major brands of popular baby bottles sold in the United States and Canada. Baby’s Toxic Bottle: Bisphenol A Leaching from Popular Brands of Baby Bottles, commissioned by a coalition of U.S. and Canadian environmental health organizations, tested plastic baby bottles in the U.S. and Canada, including products made by Avent, Disney/ The First Years, Dr. Brown’s, Evenflo, Gerber, and Playtex, for leaching of bisphenol A. The U.S. bottles were purchased in nine states at major retailers: Babies”R”Us, CVS, Target, Toys”R”Us, Walgreens, and Wal-Mart. Tests found these popular bottle brands leach levels of bisphenol A (5-8 parts per billion) when heated. Laboratory experiments with animals show that exposure to this level of bisphenol A causes a range of adverse effects. Bisphenol A, first synthesized in 1895, was discovered in 1936 to be a synthetic estrogen. The chemical is now utilized in hard, polycarbonate plastics, as well as the epoxy resins used in the linings of some food and beverage containers, dental sealants and numerous other consumer products. Bisphenol A is a developmental, neural, and reproductive toxicant that mimics estrogen and can interfere with healthy growth and body function. Animal studies demonstrate that the chemical causes damage to reproductive, neurological and immune systems during critical stages of development, such as infancy and in the womb. The levels sufficient to cause harm in animals are beneath the average levels reported in people living throughout the developed world2. Many scientists now suggest similar damage may be occurring in the human population. The objectives of this report are to a) determine whether bisphenol A leaches at measurable levels from baby bottles widely available in the United States and Canada; b) add to the growing body of knowledge highlighting the extent to which humans are exposed to bisphenol A; c) identify a responsible and precautionary legislative

approach to managing bisphenol A and other harmful chemicals, and d) help parents decrease their children’s exposure to bisphenol A. The test results of our study indicate that the

United States’ current lack of regulation of bisphenol A exposes infants and children to potentially

dangerous levels of this unnecessary toxic chemical. Our study confirms the findings of the 2007 Environment California study that tested Avent, Dr. Brown’s, Evenflo, Gerber and Playtex baby bottles. All five brands of the popular polycarbonate bottles tested in Environment California’s

study leached bisphenol A the range of 5–10 ppb.3 This report is the first dual-nation study to measure BPA leaching from baby bottles purchased from U.S. and Canadian retailers.

Key Findings

• Popular brands Avent, Disney/The First Years, Dr. Brown’s, Evenflo, Gerber, and Playtex market baby bottles that leach bisphenol A when heated;

• The laboratory tests detected between 5-8 ng/ml (parts per billion) bisphenol A leached from all bottles when heated; • Based on over 150 peer-reviewed journal articles on bisphenol A, we onclude that the amount leaching from heated bottles is within the range shown to cause harm in animal studies and is therefore a health concern for infants; • This report is the first dual-nation U.S./ Canadian study to measure the extent of bisphenol A leaching from plastic baby bottles

• Dr. Brown’s brand bottles had the overall

highest levels of bisphenol A leaching, while Avent brand bottles had the overall lowest

levels of leaching in U.S. bottles; Canadian results differ.

• The levels of bisphenol A leaching increased dramatically when the bottles were heated, with highest concentrations reported from Dr. Brown’s brand bottles. These findings are significant as baby bottles are often heated, and/or very warm liquids are poured into

bottles;

• Heating bottles to 80°C provides evidence of leaching when bottles are heated; heating to 80°C has been found to simulate 60–100 bottle washings and normal wear and use conditions;

• Major retailers including Babies”R”Us, CVS, Target, Toys”R”Us, Walgreens, and Wal-Mart sell baby bottles that leach bisphenol A when heated.

Recommendations

Based on the results of this study and the research that precedes it, Baby’s Toxic Bottle calls on major retailers and manufacturers of baby bottles to switch to safer products and phase out bisphenol A. Research shows5 that most people are exposed to bisphenol A at levels higher than those that cause health effects in animal studies. We support state policy efforts to safeguard our health by working to pass laws that phase out bisphenol A in baby bottles and other consumer products. And, we urge the federal government to reform chemical regulations to be more protective of human health, particularly the health of pregnant women and the in-utero child, as well as infants and children. In detail: • Manufacturers and retailers should immediately phase out use of BPA-containing baby bottles in favor of available, safer products. • States should act quickly to adopt policies to protect consumers and restrict BPA use in all food and beverage containers, including

those intended for use by infants and children.

• The Food and Drug Administration and manufacturers of BPA-lined infact formula cans should respond urgently and with full disclosure to the landmark investigation by Reps. Dingell/Stupak into BPA leaching from infant formula cans.

• Champions at all levels of government should work to reform America's outdated chemical policies that are failing to protect Americans from chemicals already on the market. Policies must be adopted that prevent he leaching of some of these chemicals from our consumer goods into our food and water.

• The federal law regulating industrial chemicals is 30 years old. It is outdated and does not protect Americans. We need to reform this law to protect consumers. The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) must be amended to:

– Require comprehensive, publicly available health data on industrial chemicals

– Require product manufacturers to test and disclose the chemical contents of their products

– Prohibit the use of dangerous chemicals in products, especially those targeted at infants and children

– Arm consumers with useful information to make safer product choices

– Provide information and technical resources to businesses so they can make products safe for consumers, and invest in green economic development to spur innovation of safer products.

Background on Bisphenol A (BPA)

In 1936, scientists discovered that bisphenol A (BPA) could be used as a synthetic hormone that mimicked estrogen, which they thought might be useful to help control difficult pregnancies. Bisphenol A took a back seat to a similar chemical called diethyl sylbestral (DES), which was determined to be more effective in this application. It was not until after it had been given to millions of women that DES was identified as a cancer-causing agent and the cause of serious reproductive defects, including rare vaginal cancer, in the daughters of mothers who had taken DES during pregnancy. In the 1950s chemists found that BPA could be polymerized to produce commercially viable plastics. Bisphenol A is now used to make polycarbonate plastics—the clear or tinted, unbendable plastic used to make some of the most popular baby bottle brands and reusable water

bottles, including most Nalgene bottles. Polycarbonate plastic bottles often have the number 7 in the recycling triangle on the bottom of the bottle, falling into the “other” category of plastics, and/or the letters “PC” near the recycling triangle. Other products that often contain BPA include CDs, DVDs, eyeglasses, dental sealants, and epoxy resins used in the lining of food and beverage containers. Currently, 95 percent of baby bottles on the market are made with BPA. Worldwide production of bisphenol A exceeds six billion pounds per year and demand for the chemical has risen significantly in recent years. Exposure to bisphenol A is widespread. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that 95 percent of Americans tested have detectable levels of BPA in their bodies, and a 2008 study shows that BPA levels are lowest in adults, mid-range in adolescents and

highest in children.10 The chemical bond between bisphenol A molecules is unstable, and with

time and use, the chemical leaches from bottles into materials it comes into contact with (for

example, milk). Heating bottles or pouring hot liquids into bottles, the presence of acidic or

basic foods and beverages, and repeated washing have all been shown to increase the

rate of BPA leaching from bottles. A January 2008 University of Cincinnati study found BPA

Heating bottles or pouring hot liquids into bottles, the presence of acidic or basic foods and beverages, and repeated washing have all been shown to increase the rate of BPA leaching from bottles.

leaching from Nalgene bottles. An August 2007 Environmental Working Group study found BPA leaches from the inner lining of popular infant formula cans. In March 2007, independent laboratory tests found BPA in over half of 97 cans of name-brand fruit, vegetables, soda, and other commonly eaten canned goods. A recent consensus statement by of over 30 expert scientists states that adverse health effects occur at levels in animals within the exposure range typical for people in developed countries,14 levels well below the current U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ”acceptable” human exposure level of 50 μg/kg/day. The EPA standard was set in 1993 on studies completed in the 1980s. A recent review of scientific literature demonstrates a wide range of health effects resulting from bisphenol A at significantly lower levels than considered “acceptable”, as low as 2 parts per billion in some studies

Health Effects of Bisphenol A

Mounting evidence indicates that low dose exposure to bisphenol A can lead to adverse health effects. As a hormone disruptor, bisphenol A causes a response in cells similar to the effect

of estradiol (estrogen hormone). Bisphenol A binds with estrogen-related receptors but does not replace the activity of estrogen. As a result, bisphenol A may be adding a “false” estrogen effect in the body, off-setting the hormonal balance required for healthy human development. Experiments with animals link exposure at very low doses to a range of serious health problems including:

• prostate and breast cancer

• early onset of puberty

• obesity

• hyperactivity

• lowered sperm count

• miscarriage

• diabetes

• altered immune system

Scientists and international organizations have identified bisphenol A as a potential reproductive and developmental toxin, as well as a hormone disrupting chemical leading to a variety of adverse health effects. In addition, two recent panels in the U.S. have pointed to potential health effects of exposure to bisphenol A.

Reproductive and Developmental Effects

A recent review of scientific literature affirms that bisphenol A can alter brain chemistry and the reproductive and immune systems in a variety of animals.20 Some research also indicates that the sexual behavior and sexual development of mice can be impaired and variably altered from bisphenol A-induced hormone disruption. Another study found that female mice exposed to short-term, low doses of bisphenol A experienced sudden and significant increases in genetic abnormalities in their eggs. In preliminary research based on these genetic abnormalities, researchers have also found that women with a history of recurrent miscarriage had higher blood serum levels of bisphenol A than women with successful pregnancies. Bisphenol A has been reported to suppress the activation of thyroid hormone-regulated genes in rats. These results show that low doses of bisphenol A can disrupt hormone action within cells by competitively displacing naturally occurring hormones. These hormones regulate the rate of metabolism and the growth of many systems in the body. Thyroid hormones play a significant role in brain development during

fetal life. Studies have shown that bisphenol A can, at low doses, significantly stimulate the release

of the hormone prolactin and activate breast cancer cells.

The Work Group for Safe Markets Low Doses Can Be Dangerous

Recent studies have challenged the current acceptable daily intake level of bisphenol A, as new scientific evidence shows that even low doses of this chemical can disrupt development. The current acceptable level of bisphenol A is set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at 50 μg/kg bodyweight/day, which is a measure in parts per billion (ppb). While Baby’s Toxic Bottle measured bisphenol A leaching in levels below the 50 μg/kg/day acceptable daily intake from polycarbonate baby bottles, a number of other scientific studies have shown that bisphenol A levels as low as parts per trillion have been found to alter cell function. Parts per trillion expresses a concentration 1,000 times smaller than parts per billion, indicating that extremely low-doses of bisphenol A can be potent. Moreover, exposure to BPA from baby bottles may not be an individual’s only source of exposure to BPA, making it difficult to calculate any one person’s actual daily dose. Finally, we lack studies to determine the synergistic effect of BPA exposure with other chemicals that an infant, child or adult might be exposed to. This further complicates the accuracy of the EPA’s current acceptable daily exposure limit for BPA.

Exposure

Testing of Americans done by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 95 per cent of adults studied had bisphenol A in their urine. This demonstrates the extent of human exposure since bisphenol A spends approximately 10 hours in the body28 and indicates that we are continuously exposed to bisphenol A . Animal studies suggest that bisphenol A is quickly absorbed and eliminated, but some residual BPA remains in the intestines, liver and
kidneys for a period of several days. A recent U. S. biomonitoring project titled Is It In Us? Chemical Contamination of Our Bodies tested 35 men, women and young people for the presence of a variety of chemicals in their bodies. All of the participants who submitted urine samples had bisphenol A in their urine, and more than half had it in their blood. The levels of bisphenol A found in the blood and urine of those studied was within the range shown to cause effects in laboratory animal studies, including impacts on cell function. A November 2007 U.S. National Institute of nvironmental Health Sciences expert panel of 38 leading scientists32 found that most people are exposed to bisphenol A at levels higher than those that cause health effects in animal studies. The Washington, D.C.-based Environmental Working Group found high levels of bisphenol A in canned food, including infant formula, ravioli and chicken soup.33 A 2008 University of Cincinnati study found BPA leaches from the popular polycarbonate Nalgene reusable water bottles.

Children

Children are especially vulnerable to bisphenol A because endocrine disruptors affect how their bodies grow and develop. Young children still have immature organ systems, high metabolic rates, relatively low bodyweight, and are going through rapid physical development; therefore, even low levels of repeated exposure may lead to adverse health effects. An expert panel of the U.S. National Toxicology Program concluded recently that bisphenol A exposure to fetuses and to children could impact their behavioral and neural systems. Exposure in the womb is particularly worrisome as fetuses have immature detoxification systems, not equivalent to adults’, and they are at a delicate

stage of development. Bisphenol A is very much present in children’s lives. A recent investigation of bisphenol A exposure in preschool children in North Carolina and Ohio (2000–2001) over a 48-hour period found that more than 68 percent of children’s liquid food and more than 83 percent of their solid food samples contained bisphenol A.

Real World Laboratory

Linking the animal and laboratory evidence for bisphenol A with human health effects is diffiBaby’s toxic bott le: bisphenol A leaching from popular baby bott les cult for many reasons, including a lack of oncrete data on human exposure, other factors contributing to diseases, and the delay between exposure and some health effects. What cannot be disputed is that a number of tests have detected bisphenol A in human tissue and this indicates widespread exposure Coupled with the knowledge of increasing rates of infertility, prostate and breast cancer and other conditions such as diabetes and obesity in the human population, the possible effects of hormone disruptors like bisphenol A cannot be ignored.

N o n - D e t e c t

Ten new polycarbonate baby bottles were purchased from a variety of retailers in California, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New York, Oregon, Minnesota, Connecticut, Maine and Washington in December 2007. We selected popular, easily available brands from well-known retail outlets, ranging from 4 oz. to 9 oz. in size. (See Appendix 1: Retail Locations.) The laboratory of Dr. Frederick S. vom Saal, a leading researcher on bisphenol A at the University of Missouri-Columbia, conducted the analysis. The lab subjected these bottles to a test designed at the University of Missouri to simulate repeated washing. Each bottle was filled with water, sealed and left undisturbed for 24 hours. Two tests were conducted; all bottles were first tested at room temperature and then at 80ºC/176ºF.