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10/30/2008

Endometriosis Blog: BPA Controversy Continues As FDA Disputes Scientific Findings (UPDATED)

There has been controversy for some time about the safety of bisphenol A (BPA). I have written about BPA before. If you search my blog with the search box in the top left corner of the blog on the word "toxins", you'll get this:

Search results for 'toxins' on Jeanne's Endo Blog posts

See this post which includes links to numerous posts concerning toxins that affect our health:

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2008 --- Endo Blog: New Environmental Article – ‘Body Toxic’ and ‘Poisoned Profits’ – Evidence That Endometriosis/Other Conditions Are Linked To Toxins

See story about BPA below:

See the medpage TODAY story: FDA Advisers Denounce Agency's Decision on BPA Safety

Also, see video from NBC news broadcast last night (below). I should warn you that obnoxious ads may appear prior to the Nightly News clip. So if you are reading this at work, be aware of the Macy's undergarment ad that I just saw before the NBC news story on BPA. You may not want your computer blaring this ad at work. NBC Nightly News With Brian Williams ran a story last night on the topic of bisphenol A. Just scroll down to the topic and view the video clip of the NBC story that aired last night: FDA Under Fire For Lax Plastic Review

Here is an article from WebMD on BPA:

WebMD article: "Panel Criticizes FDA Bisphenol A Report"

Here is another new BPA article:

JS Online: Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinal

For more info on BPA, see this site:

Environmental Working Group

See the new related article from the website "Our Stolen Future" that covers endocrine disruptors:

Our Stolen Future's new article on endocrine disruption



Finally, I'd just like to say that I have learned over several years now that endocrine disruptors are an alarming issue for women with endometriosis. I believe the FDA's disregard for scientific evidence is disturbing. The fact that Canada has banned BPA from being used in the production of baby bottles should provide a clue that the FDA needs to take a closer look at the evidence.

If you are drinking out of a plastic bottle that has the number 7 in the middle of the recycle symbol on the bottom of the bottle, you are drinking water from a bottle with BPA. This is not good for anyone but it is especially troubling for endometriosis patients.

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UPDATE:

I just saw on my FEEDjit traffic monitor that someone had found this blog by searching on Google "bpa fda". When I clicked on their search terms, it took me to the following link:

Earthhope

I thought I'd pass it along as readers may be interested in additional details about the BPA issues. Unless consumers stop buying these dangerous products and/or write to their representatives, the companies that use BPA in their products will almost certainly continue to do so.

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This article was posted by Jeanne via "Jeanne's Endo Blog" at www.endendoat.blogspot.com.

4 comments:

Jannie Funster said...

Luckily I found some wonderful blue plastic water bottles for Kelly at our local Sun Harvest store that are labeled as leach-free. I'd tell you the brand but it isn't written on the bottle, sorry.

And congrats on your Creativ Blogger award, Jeanne - you rock !

Jeanne said...

Jannie,

Good for you finding leach-free bottles! It's inconceivable to me that the FDA allows BPA products.

This has been a known health hazard for some time. When it was on the national news last night, it was presented like it was new news. It's not.

It blows my mind that others countries (in this case Canada) often take the lead on safety issues like this when U.S. companies are quite aware of the dangers.

The companies that make these chemicals are irresponsible to continue to market these products. It's just terrible.

A few years back, we had someone speak to our local endo support group about various toxins...

One of many topics covered was plastics leaching into foods. I have also read a bunch of stuff about it over the years. However, many people aren't aware of these issues or are just becoming aware of it... because the general public just hasn't had the info available.

Another example of how plastic can leach into foods in hot food in plastic containers. Those frozen dinners that get heated in the microwave and claim to be microwave-safe are not safe. The plastic leaches into the food even more so when heated. It is unhealthy to take these chemicals in.

I am reading a book now that is really interesting. It's full of info about just how damaging chemicals can be to the neurological system, immune system, etc.

Many experts believe that infertility can often be linked to environmental exposures of some sort.

Some chemicals act as pseudo-estrogens... they mimic estrogens and confuse the body.

I think awareness is so important because so many people are unknowingly ingesting dangerous chemicals.

I know it sounds alarmist to anyone who hasn't researched it but it's true.

We got rid of all of our Teflon cookware a few years back & use stainless steel only. That Teflon coating is not healthy either.

They had an in-depth story on 20/20 a few years back on it. People's pet birds were literally dropping dead from the fumes given off by the Teflon getting hot!

There are so many unsafe products on the market. People wonder why there is so much cancer and chronic illness...

I have written previous posts about epigenetics... Someone could have the genetic predisposition for an illness like endo but it may or may not be expressed in their genes.

Environment really does matter. I believe that whatever aspects can be controlled environmentally should be. (Thus all of my blog widgets about environmental issues). :)

People can't change their genetic makeup but they can control what they eat, drink, and breathe... at least to some extent.

It would be easier for people to make healthy choices if there were more education available about what types of things act as endocrine disruptors or other chemicals that spell trouble... especially for patients who are already chronically ill... or who have the genes that could be expressed given the circumstances that trigger trouble.

It makes me sad/mad that companies knowingly continue to market unsafe products because they are more worried about profits than people!

So today I felt compelled to write about BPA. That news story just got me fired up again!

Check out the “Skin Deep” database in my “worthwhile reading”. It is really interesting!! You can search for product safety on health and beauty products.

The skin is the largest organ of the body and the chemicals used in so many products on the market are just outrageous...

Thank you! I was really happy that Maureen nominated me for that award. Maureen has endo and many other illnesses that I have. She is a very compassionate, caring person and I was honored to receive it. :)

Thanks!

Jeanne

Anonymous said...

I am 39 and was newly diagnosed with endometriosis 6 months ago. I have been using hard plastic drinking cups (Bentley and Terrazza) for a couple of years now, and I always washed and dried them in the dishwasher on the heat drying cycle. I was on vacation for 10 days over Christmas; I drank out of glass glasses only. My endometriosis symptoms went away and have not returned yet; I am still using glass ware and not plastic ware. My only conclusion is that bpa is the cause...I had no endometriosis before last year at all. The endometriosis symptoms I had been experiencing were severe: my back, side and abdomen were in severe pain; I had no endurance, I was tired, caffeine irritated my pains like nothing I had ever seen, to say nothing of the inflammation and hot flashes I felt. These symptoms are gone now. I feel like my old self again. What else could it be--bpa evidently caused this condition in me; advanced by the heated dishwasher cycle which caused bpa to leach out. This is real and the truth--I am not any kind of environmentalist saying this, just a conservative basketball mom trying to warn people--bpa is dangerous.

Jeanne said...

Dear Anonymous,

Thank you for stopping by! I just turned 40 but my endo started at 13 and was diagnosed at 23 years old.

I'm sorry you have endo but I'm happy for you that you have a proper diagnosis so that you can make lifestyle decisions accordingly and know where you stand health-wise.

I'm not familiar with Bentley & Terrazza cups but I am very familiar with the concept of plastic leaching into food & drinks.

It is not widely known but this extends beyond cups and bottles with BPA in them. For example, cellophane wrap used to cover leftover food has chemicals in it that can leach into food.

Microwaving food in/on something plastic (i.e. a frozen dinner) can cause plastic to leach into the food.

Clearly it is not healthy to ingest the chemicals used to make plastics.

Containers marketed as "dishwasher-safe" are often anything but.

It is interesting that your symptoms improved after just 10 days using glass instead of plastic. I'm very happy for you that your symptoms improved so much.

Endo experts agree that there is currently no cure for endo. However, there are treatment options available and there are lifestyle changes that can have positive effects.

I can't validate that the BPA was the factor that explains your change in symptoms but it sure is interesting timing!

I use glass whenever I possibly can. Even at room temperature, some believe that plastic's chemicals can leach into food & drinks (i.e. bottled water in plastic containers).

I'm sorry your symptoms were so severe. I'm glad you've gotten relief.

It's interesting that your symptoms came on so aggressively about a year ago and then stopped suddenly too. Most women I know with endo have had symptoms begin at a younger age than at roughly 38...

This seems a bit unusual (anecdotally) based on the many women I have met who have endo. (I've been in endo support groups at the local level since 1992 & have met many patients).

It is interesting that your symptoms improved when you switched from plastic to glass... and for just 10 days.

It sounds like your body may be quite sensitive. Do you have multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) by any chance?

You sound quite sensitive if your body reacted so quickly to the absence of plastic for just 10 days. That's very intriguing!

It really makes you wonder if the BPA somehow triggered the symptoms you described.

Do you know what recycle number was on the bottom of the plastic cups you had been using??

Here is a blog you may find really interesting: "Fake Plastic Fish". The address for it is in my blog roll (see right sidebar of my blog). It is packed with info about plastic.

Another site you may like is "The Canary Report". It's great too! (It is also in my blog roll).

Anyway, I am really happy for you that you feel so much better. That is great!

It makes you wonder when the symptoms got so much better right when you switched from plastic to glass, doesn't it?

One more site that may interest you is the "Skin Deep" database. You sound sensitive enough that you may appreciate this great tool! It's in my blog roll too.

The fact that plastics can "leach" is definitely "real and the truth".

Thanks for sharing your experience with readers here!

Jeanne

P.S.

BPA is equally dangerous to "basketball moms" and "environmentalists" alike. :)

BPA is not healthy for ANYONE.

It is particularly dangerous for chronically ill people (such as endo patients).

Thank you for taking the time to share your remarkable story! :)

I hope your remission of endo symptoms lasts and that you keep feeling good!

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