Green Treehouse

A new study which appeared in the Journal of the American Medical Association finds that “people with high amounts of bisphenol A in their urine were more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with diabetes or heart disease.”

These health findings add to emerging worries about bisphenol A (BPA), the chemical which is found in plastics including baby bottles, food storage containers and polycarbonate water bottles. Recent studies have suggested links between BPA exposure and effects on brain development and behavior.

Baby product manufacturers, such as BornFree, have begun to produce BPA Free Products. Parents concerned about bisphenol A exposure can minimize plastic risks by opting for products marked “BPA Free” and by avoiding microwaving plastic food containers or washing them with harsh detergents.

To read more about BPA and the new study, click here.

Your mommy friends heard about a report that says to ditch your plastic sippy cups. Your mom heard about a study that said limited exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) is just fine. Your neighbor cautions that the studies giving BPA the green light were funded by industry trade groups, who may have been seeing $$$ over health. Slightly unnerving, don’t you think?

Who, and what studies, are you supposed to believe? After all, the word on the street is that BPA is bad stuff–linked to breast and prostate cancer, among other health problems.

According to today’s front page of the Washington Post, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says that it deemed BPA, the compound that has been found in plastic baby bottles, sippy cups, and other products, safe after relying on research backed by the American Plastics Council (a trade group). The big concern is that the chemical industry may have influenced that research to achieve desired results–i.e. approval for use in plastic. For example, the chemical industry has funded scientists to advise the government about the safety of chemical compounds. Sound vaguely similar to the Tobacco Industry? That’s part of the reason the plastic safety debate is turning heads.

In case you’re wondering, Bisphenol A is not new. It was first synthesized by chemists in 1891. Scientists have known that it’s an artificial estrogen since the 1930s, but DES–the estrogen yanked in the 1970s which was linked to reproductive cancers–stole the limelight. Bisphenol A was grandfathered as a presumed safe chemical compound by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1976. In 1993, the EPA set a BPA high-dose safety standard. In 1997, the first published university study found cancer links to low-level BPA exposure. In 1999, Consumer Reports discovered that BPA leaches from heated baby bottles. Between 2003-2006, BPA was found safe by an expert advisory panel, after relying on the findings of contractor, Sciences International. In 2007, Congress launched an investigation–after learning that the contractor involved also performed work for BPA manufacturers. The investigation into plastic and safety debate is now on…. Click here to see the full 117 Year BPA Washington Post summary.

Now the hard part, you get to make up your own mind.

Related Posts
Big Box Retailer Plans to Yank Plastic Bottles, Sippy Cups
Look Out Mom and Dad: If Others are Green Diapering, So Can You!

Related Products
SIGG Kidz Bottle .3L
thinkbaby Bottles

As many of you have probably guessed by now, I’m an avid Washington Post reader. One of my favorite places to read the newspaper is in the car, while I wait for preschool pick up. Since my last post mentioned the preliminary federal report about the chemical bisphenol-A (”BPA”) in plastic containers, like water bottles, sippy cups and baby bottles, I just had to write about the highlighted news in today’s Business section. Box store giant, Wal-Mart plans to stop selling baby bottles and other products containing bisphenol-A early next year.

Wonder why a chemical that is suspected of posing cancer risks to babies is even used in the first place? Well, the chemical is known for giving plastic containers those rugged, hard and practically unbreakable characteristics. If you’ve ever seen a Nalgene Water Bottle, you probably know what I’m talking about. By the way, in case you’re wondering, Nalgene plans to stop using the chemical.

In light of recent findings about bisphenol-A, if you’re concerned about your child’s safety (or your own), check out these awesome bisphenol-free products:

SIGG Bottles. Made in Switzerland, apparently completely free of leaching risks posed by plastic bottles.

Thinkbaby bottles. Thinkbaby offers a line of bottles and sippy cups free of Bisphenol-A, phthalates and lead.

BornFree Drinking Cups and Bottles. BornFree offers baby cups and bottles free of Bisphenol-A.

If you’re in need of a baby shower gift, children’s bottles and sippy cups free of potentially dangerous chemicals make great gifts to show you really care–not to mention that you’re totally up on environmental (eco-friendly) news!

Related Posts
Glass Bottles are IN
Eco-Friendly Household Cleaners

Related Products
BornFree Drinking Cup
SIGG Kidz Bottle Check out the great selection of designs and tops at BabyEarth.com!

A preliminary government report produced by the National Toxicology Program suggests that the chemical bisphenol A, which is found in shatterproof plastic bottles, may be linked to hormonal problems, such as early puberty, and possibly even tumors.

According to the Washington Post, citing the Centers for Disease Control, “More than 90 percent of Americans are exposed to trace amounts of bisphenol.” Exposure results when the chemical leaches out of plastic bottles or containers, such as plastic baby bottles or water bottles made with bisphenol.

Related Posts
Glass Bottles are IN
Selling your Kids on Water

Related Products
SIGG Kidz Bottle
thinkbaby Bottles

Several days back, I purged my cabinets of old grungy sippy cups, opting to replace the stash with BornFree Drinking Cups. BornFree products are free of Bisphenol-A, the chemical that is found in cups made from polycarbonate plastic. Studies have linked Bisphenol-A to reproductive health issues, among other health problems.

BornFree is not the only company to make Bisphenol-A free cups and bottles. thinkbaby offers a complete line of bottles and trainer cups.

For parents worried about toxic chemicals leaching from plastic baby products and their baby’s health, thinkbaby’s products are the answer to those worries. thinkbaby’s products are Free of Bisphenol-A, phthalates and lead. thinkbaby is also an environmentally conscious company–it uses eco-friendly packaging and even donates a portion of purchases to support the non-profit, Healthy Child Healthy World.

BabyEarth carries a great selection of BornFree and thinkbaby products.

To learn more about growing international concerns over plastic baby bottles and sippy cups, check out this YouTube video.

Yesterday, I decided to reclaim the “sippy cup” cupboard in my kitchen.  You see, over the years I’ve amassed sippy cups of nearly every brand, including Avent, Munchkin, Nuby, and Gerber.  Every time I open ”the” cupboard, sippy cups, tops, and spill proof valves fall out on top of me.  To make matters worse, whenever I go to use a particular cup, I waste multiple minutes rummaging around for the matching top and valve. 

As sentimental as those spouts with baby teeth chew marks may be, a full purge was in order. I decided the ultimate solution is to start anew.  This time with BornFree Drinking Cups.  BornFree bottles and cups have made headline news in recent months.  Why?  Because BornFree products are said to be the ultimate in safe feeding.  BornFree products are made free from the chemical Bisphenol-A., a chemical found in bottles and cups made from polycarbonate plastic.  Studies suggest that Bisphenol-A can leach into bottles and cups, which may have potential health consequences.  BornFree products may cost a little bit more, but the potential for added safety and a clean sippy cup cupboard are well worth the price.

If your child uses BornFree products, what influenced your decision to buy the products?