Chemicals Plastic
Do you ever wonder what your plastic water bottles are made of, or the containers you keep your
food in? Is it safe? Sources say that there are no harmful chemicals in plastic, but is there?
Studies have shown there is a harmful ubiquitous compound that is found in baby bottles, water
bottles, and food containers. This compound is called BPA ( C15H16O2), first we have to learn
the facts about BPA, is it safe or not, what are the health risks of this chemical if humans are
exposed to it.
.BPA is a weak synthetic estrogen also known as Bisphenol A is used in the production of epoxy
resins, but also in the use to make hard plastics called polycarbonates. Polycarbonates are what
make up baby bottles, water bottles and food containers, BPA has been used in these products
since around 1957. BPA helps make the items tough, clear and durable. The melting point of
BPA is between 158oC to 159oC, the boiling point of BPA is around 220oC.
Studies show that when plastics containing BPA are heated up, such as put in the microwave, or
in the dishwasher the chemicals extract out of the plastic into the containers. When a hot liquid is
added the chemicals extract out 55 times faster than it normally would, according to a study
done by Scott Belcher. It was stated by the FDA that “BPA is safe at very low levels that occur
in some foods “. The CDC data showed that out of 2157 people 93 percent of them from the
ages six to eighty five “had detectable levels of DPA’s by product in their urine”. It was said
that Children had higher levels than adolescents and adolescents had higher levels than adults,"
By endocrinologist Retha Newbold of the U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health
Sciences. Investigators are more worried about children and unborn babies, because of the
hot...