New findings on BPA make avoiding it more urgent than ever

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Two years ago, scientists in California voted unanimously that the toxic plastic additive BPA should be immediately added to the list of chemicals that are known to cause birth defects.

That should have meant that soup, veggies and other canned foods whose packaging includes BPA (which is typically used to coat the inside of can linings) would have a warning to shoppers.

Well, you can guess where that idea went!

Big Food intervened quickly, and canned foods were exempted from the part of the California law calling for mandatory warnings.

And while we probably didn’t need any more research telling us how bad exposure to this chemical is, a new study has come out that reveals what could be one of the most important reasons yet to make sure that you, and especially the kids in your family, encounter as little BPA as possible.

‘Long lasting…permanent effects’

BPA is one of those health issues that should have been resolved already.

And you may think it has been! Everywhere you look water bottles, food cans, storage containers, even pet bowls say how they’re “BPA free!”

But some recent research by The Center For Environmental Health found that’s far from the case.

In a test of over 250 canned food items purchased at supermarkets and discount stores, close to 40 percent still contained the chemical.

Remember, we’re talking about something that, along with birth defects, has been linked to breast and prostate cancer, type 2 diabetes, obesity and asthma. On top of that, we told you two years ago about how BPA is suspected of triggering early puberty in young girls.

Another easy way to be exposed to BPA are with those thermal paper receipts. The chemical can transfer to your skin and be absorbed by your body.

As I said, scientists are still doing research into BPA, their most recent findings involving turtles. While that may sound far removed from people, researchers call them an “indicator species,” sort of the new canary in the coal mine.

This study, done in conjunction with several universities and the St. Louis Zoo, found that BPA exposure during early development was capable of changing “genetic pathways,” going so far as to “override the brain development of male turtles.”

The chemical also was able to disrupt the turtle’s mitochondria — known as the “power house” in cellular activity.

But the most frightening findings in this new research may be the fact that these “behavioral changes” in the turtles were documented almost a year after the animals were exposed to BPA. The researchers say that shows early exposure can “lead to long-lasting and likely permanent effects.”

Despite these frightening findings, there are still ways to enjoy the convenience of prepared soups and other foods. By just following these four simple tips you’ll be slashing a big chunk of BPA out of your family’s diet.

Tip #1: Only buy canned food from manufacturers that specifically state they no longer use BPA. Campbell’s Soup has said that it won’t be BPA-free until sometime this year, although the company has been promising this since 2012.

Tip #2: Other options include buying soups and broths in those paper cartons called “aseptic containers” which contain no BPA. Glass containers work, too.

Tip #3: When it comes to fruit and veggies, choose fresh or frozen varieties over canned. That’s especially easy to do now with lots of delicious produce coming into season.

Tip #4: Never microwave food in plastic dishes, even ones saying they are BPA-free.

“Exposure to BPA potentially induces permanent reprogramming of painted turtles’ brains” University of Missouri-Columbia, May 17, 2017, ScienceDaily, sciencedaily.com

BPA Plastic Toxic

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