Page 52 - Winter2020

science deems the material as safe for human What if someone was paying you to perform science where the only ac-
consumption in small amounts, after producing ceptable conclusion was to call that same material “safe”? Would that
acceptable test results in laboratory rodents. influence your judgment?
There are some important differences in
the real world versus the laboratory. First of JUDGMENT CALLS
all, rodents and humans are different species, Fortunately, in the case of BPA, there are some options for those of
related but different. All humans are similar but us who feel that the science is undecided. We can make conscious choices
also different, both in our genetics and the other to minimize the usage of BPA, particularly for domestic food storage or
materials we interact with on a daily basis. No any container that you may put through regular thermal cycling (such as
two people have the same experiences, except the dishwasher). There is a readily available alternative to BPA and other
in science fiction, so the other materials that we hardened polycarbonates: It’s called glass. Unlike the larger discussion
are mixing in the chemistry experiment of our on the use of plastic versus glass that we explored in last issue’s article on
bodies are going to differ in minute ways as well. plastics, the substitution of BPA for glass in baby bottles and Tupperware
No two of us are ingesting the same amount of is unlikely to materially alter the global greenhouse gas balance, but it
micro-BPA particles and other things which may could have an important effect on your health.
or may not interact with BPA. One tactic that the BPA-producing industry has developed is to cre-
We know that BPA affects our endocrine ate similar but slightly different compounds, namely BPF and BPS. This
systems—which we know through our own ex- allows the industry to label a storage or packaging material as “BPA Free”
perience of life to be delicate, requiring constant without having to alter the business model materially. Without having
balancing and more sensitive early in our lives looked at those alternatives in depth, I can say confidently and without
than later. So we know that the science deems further study that the science around BPA is likely to be similar for BPF
BPA safe, but we also know that we are likely and BPS.
ingesting some amount and that it affects our The key thing is to know whether your plastic pack-
very sensitive hormone regulation and balanc- aging is a polycarbonate that may contain BPA, BPF or
ing system. BPS. In this case this is something that we can know with
certainty. Look for the triangle symbol on any food or food-
As a hypothetical thought exercise, con- containing packaging that you purchase. If the package has
sider the following. What if high exposure to this symbol, seek an alternative or think about how you use
BPA affects only one in two hundred of us or that specific product and whether or not you want to risk the potential of
0.5 percent in a negative way after prolonged BPA entering your or your child’s body and accumulating silently. If a
exposure, and the consequence of this exposure given risk is unknown but easily avoidable, isn’t the most sensible course
is a hormonal imbalance with knock-on effects of action to avoid the unknown risk in its entirety?
that come with too much or too little of one or
multiple hormones in our biological system? James Kirkpatrick is a mechanical engineer and energy analyst serving
Would you determine that this material is safe as president of JKF Associates.
or unsafe? It’s a personal judgment call, right?

AVOIDING BPA

BPA makes plastic harder and tougher without losing transparency, so plastic bottles and food storage containers are
the main sources. Use glass instead of plastic for food storage and avoid beverages sold in plastic bottles; minimize the
use of foods in plastic-lined cans. Flexible plastic wrap does not contain BPA.

Cold temperatures reduce the migration of chemicals, so storage of soups, broth, etc. in the freezer is probably OK.
Let these foods cool completely before transferring them to plastic containers.

Babies are likely to be particularly sensitive to the hormone-mimicking effects of BPA. Use glass bottles and a stainless
steel sippy cup. Do not give babies baby food packaged in plastic.

Most cash register receipts are thermal paper containing BPA! It’s unlikely that the chemical will transfer through your
skin, but it could aerosolize if the receipt is crushed or folded. . . so handle receipts with care!

50 Wise Traditions WINTER 2020