Research has been done on Bisphenol A (BPA) and it was proven that BPA may raise the risk of asthma in kids. BPA is a chemical that is found in polycarbonate plastic bottles and in food and drink containers that have an aluminum lining. Asthma rates have increased and since BPA has been produced within the last 40 years, this timing coincides with the time that asthma rates in kids have increased.
Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston have done experiments on pregnant mice and have produced evidence that if a mother is exposed to BPA, then there is a good possibility that her offspring will develop asthma. Mice that were not exposed to BPA showed no signs of asthma. BPA was given in drinking water a week before pregnancy at certain levels and these were calculated to have the same type of body concentration that a human mother has, and continued on through the pregnancy and lactation periods.
Some states have passed laws to ban BPA in cups and bottles used by children younger than age 4. Minnesota, Connecticut and now Maryland have all forced bans on the use of BPA in drinking implements and bottles that could be or are being used for children. Since the research has ramifications for very young children, it has been suggested that kids under 4 are kept well away from BPA.
Scientist believe that this study is a good example of what could happen to humans, but they admit that mice studies are not always accurate in people.
The next step in this study will be to determine how much BPA and how often it is given before these problems are prevalent. Since there are other contributing factors in what causes asthma, scientist are planning on extracting cord blood in humans for their research. These subjects will be watched for a period of time to see if they develop Asthma. Groups will be based on their level of BPA exposure. This type of study will take years, but will certainly be more conclusive than the mice experiment.
The FDA recently recommended steps to reduce BPA exposure that include discarding worn or damaged baby bottles and feeding cups, heating food and drink in BPA-free containers, and checking labels to ensure containers are dishwasher and microwave-safe.
The Food and Drug Administration is now recommending steps to stop or at least lower BPA exposure that include throwing away old or damaged baby bottles and feeding cups, heating food and drink in BPA-free containers, and checking labels to ensure containers are dishwasher and microwave-safe.
Source: eFitness Now
