New research on common chemical raises concerns

BMJ Group: "More doubts have been raised over the safety of a common chemical found in hard plastic food containers and bottles, and metal cans. High levels of the chemical, called bisphenol A, appear to be linked to heart problems and type 2 diabetes, a new study has found."

UK news

EPA Nominee Pledges To Put Science Before Politics

Factiva: "President-elect Barack Obama's choice to lead the Environmental Protection Agency promised to base her decisions on science and not politics, something that the agency has been accused of in recent years.

'If I am confirmed, I will administer with science as my guide,' nominee Lisa Jackson said in prepared testimony before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, which is considering whether she should run the EPA. 'Political appointees will not compromise the integrity of EPA's technical experts to advance particular regulatory outcomes.'

Democrats have long complained that the EPA was politicized under President George W. Bush and that it shirked its most important duties."

BPA-free canned seafood

DeliciousLiving Magazine: "Want to avoid the endocrine-disrupting plastic bisphenol-A (BPA) in your canned fish and other foods? Vital Choice Seafood & Organics just launched their BPA-free cans and pouches for all their seafood, including sardines. 

They become one of only three companies using verified BPA-free cans, joining Eden Foods canned organic beans (this company had the foresight to eschew BPA lining nearly a decade ago!): and Henry & Lisa’s canned albacore tuna. Kudos to these companies for leading the way."

Wash. state House may ban chemical in baby bottles

The Canary Report: "The Washington state House is considering a bill to ban the chemical BPA in food or drink containers for children age 3 and younger, including plastic baby bottles and infant formula.

This is really good news. Not waiting for the federal government, which has dragged it’s heels for eight years in the area of consumer protection from toxic chemicals, Washington state is moving forward to protect babies from bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical used in some plastics. Scientists are concerned that BPA could be harmful to human health, since it mimics some of the effects of estrogen, a powerful hormone."

Green BPA, revisited

The Mouse's Nest: "It was open to an article, 'The Real Story Behind BPA.'

It took me a while to get through the whole thing. The article is dense with information, and I had to put it down every time my blood pressure rose too much. But there it was, the information I knew existed. If you get the chance, go read the whole thing. Really, it's worth the time! But let me highlight some of the points I wish I'd had at my fingertips last year."

Time to go clean out the pantry and try to figure out alternatives to various canned items.

Researchers advise replacing plastic with other materials

Detroit Free Press: For an informed yet practical approach to plastics safety, we consulted two experts who also happen to be parents:

"6. Canned foods. Many of the metal cans used for food are lined with a resin that contains BPA. Instead of canned fruits and vegetables, buy fresh or frozen. Instead of canned beans, buy dried. Look for tomatoes in glass jars, or try canning your own."

Study predicts BPA in babies 11 times higher than adults

Environmental Health News: "Using a mathematical model based on enzymatic differences between newborns and adults, scientists estimate that the amount of bisphenol A (BPA) circulating in the blood of babies is more than 11 times higher than the amount in adult blood. The striking disparity is most likely due to natural differences in metabolism and body size between babies and adults. This study points to the need for chemical exposure standards to better incorporate differences in vulnerabilities between children and adults."

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