Studies Show BPA Can Lead to Birth Defects, Miscarriages, Breast Cancer

by Brittany Houlihan

Like the author of this article, I’m not really for testing on animals in the name of science.  However, some new testing from Washington State University and the University of California-Davis has determined some pretty scary stuff about Bisphenol A (or BPA), by feeding primates with it.  The study found that by giving doses of BPA that are the equivalent to what humans ingest, the reproductive systems of the primates were harmed, “causing chromosome damage, miscarriages, and birth defects,” according to the WSU website.  Additionally, not only were the mothers affected by the BPA, but the female offspring’s own ovaries were affected, indicating “BPA exposure can cause trouble across generations.” According to other research mentioned in the article, conclusions have been made that BPA is also linked to breast cancer and childhood obesity.

In a 2003 study, BPA was found in 93 percent of urine samples of Americans ages six years and older.  Most of our exposure to BPA comes from use by the food packaging industry, and it is found in metal cans and other containers.

Despite the effects and because of the business that BPA brings in, the food-packaging industry is still claiming that the amounts of BPA that we come into contact with are too small to do any harm to our bodies.  For now, it’s probably a good idea to avoid packaging that uses BPA if you’re concerned about its risks, especially miscarriages, birth defects, and breast cancer.

For a list of common products with BPA in them and how to avoid them, check out this website and this website.

 

Photo via firstdescents.org

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