Bisphenol A

You may know that I have an MS in Chem Engr and Biochemistry so here's my thoughts on this very complicated issue. Many of these types of chemicals (cyclical organics, petrochemicals, pesticides) are carcinogenic. Potentially worse, many mimic hormones. Studies are showing that these chemicals are seriously affecting sensitive aquatic wildlife in very harmfull way through our releases from sewer plants, etc.

There is really no way of knowing if they are dangerous or not in normal human doses. They are fairly new (50 years or so) and especially the hormone acting one could potentially act at such small doses that it would be very hard to determine their effect. Hormones are very potent things at extremely small doses.

There are 3 main problems with trying to determine effect; lack of long term studies, potential effects of microscopic doses and sympathetic effects of hundreds of these chemical working together.

If I were writing a paper, I'd say that the data is insufficient to show any statistical significance.

That being said, I personally would avoid them (including Bisphenol A, phthalates, pesticides and even all plastic bottles) where possible. The costs are prohibitive in many cases and it is probably more important to eat healthy foods than to sacrifice a healthy diet trying to afford the extra cost of organic foods and avoiding canned goods.

I, myself, just try and be aware of what I'm buying and make changes where I can. For example, I have well water and drink only bottled water, which concerns me with all the petrochemicals leaching into the water from the plastic bottles, but the options are either too expensive or too complicated so I just make informed choices.

Hope this helps. I know it's long and excessively complicated but that's what we scientists do best.