How to Minimize Personal Exposure to BPA in Medical Products

The views about BPA (bisphenol A), the toxic chemical used in many plastic products, is going from bad to worse. Not only is it more dangerous and ubiquitous than previously believed, now we’ve learned it is even used in medical devices. A new investigation is exploring whether patients undergoing such procedures as cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and kidney dialysis are suffering dangerous levels of exposure to this chemical. If this is found to be so, new regulations will be issued — but how much damage has already been done?

THE TOXIC IMPACT OF BPA

BPA is a chemical used in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastics. In the human body, however, it acts like a hormone and can disrupt normal endocrine processes by mimicking the effects of estrogen. BPA has been linked to hormonal disturbances, reproductive and fetal abnormalities, breast and prostate cancer, neurological changes, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and liver disorders. While news reports tend to focus on risks to developing fetuses and babies because of their extreme vulnerability, study results published in the September 17, 2008, issue of Journal of the American Medical Association note that adults with higher levels of BPA in their urine also have higher rates of heart disease and diabetes.

In animal studies, toxic effects of BPA occur at even very low concentrations, observes Scott Belcher, PhD, who has conducted research into the health effects of BPA at the University of Cincinnati. Yet US industry continues to produce more than six million pounds of this chemical each year, using it in baby bottles, large water bottles, food storage containers and many other products and to line food and beverage cans. It also is in dental sealants and composites. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that more than 90% of Americans have detectable levels of BPA in their bodies.

Random daily exposure is bad enough, but it’s truly disconcerting to learn that many medical devices — including not only plastic tubing, such as intravenous (IV) lines and catheters, but even implants that remain indefinitely in the body — also contain BPA. This leads to high exposure over extended periods of time. For instance, In heart surgery, a pump takes over the work of the heart and lungs, circulating and oxygenating blood through plastic tubing while bypassing these vital organs. In dialysis, people with chronic kidney failure have their blood filtered and cleansed through tubes several times each week. The dangers are intensified by the fact that heat causes BPA to leach even more readily from the plastic — and blood, of course, is warm as it passes through tubes and back into the body.

TAKE STEPS TO LIMIT EXPOSURE

At present, there are few if any BPA-free alternatives for these crucial medical products, though Dr. Belcher told me he believes industry will be motivated to develop some if enough outrage gets expressed. The widespread use of BPA makes it difficult to evaluate all potential exposure sources, says Dr. Belcher. He stresses that it is most essential for high-risk groups — including pregnant and nursing women and infants and young children — to seek out products labeled BPA-free. However, limiting exposure makes sense for everyone — so Dr. Belcher offered a few common-sense suggestions on how to do that.

  • Buy products packaged in glass rather than plastic bottles.
  • Look for reusable water bottle makers, such as Nalgene and CamelBak, which now offer BPA-free plastic containers.
  • Don’t reuse plastic bottles (such as for water) unless they are labeled BPA-free.
  • Don’t drink coffee, tea or other hot beverages from plastic cups or bottles.
  • Use glass or ceramic to heat foods, rather than plastic.
  • Only microwave plastic containers that are labeled safe for this purpose.
  • Enjoy fresh or frozen foods rather than canned.