Summary
Federal officials are trying to decide whether the chemical, known as BPA, should be regulated. Toxicologists, including some work for federal agencies, is questioning the likelihood that BPA is harming human health. Although biologists studying the chemicals health effects disagree, saying that what's been detected in people is comparable to amounts that have harmed lab animals. BPA is arguably the most controversial chemical in consumer products. It is mostly used to make polycarbonate plastic as well as food and beverage can liners and some paper receipts and dental sealants. Bein widely agreed upon is that the exposure is ubiquitous. 90% of Americans tested have traces of BPA in their bodies. Acts like an estrogen, disrupting hormones, alters the reproductive system and brains development, and sets the stage for breast and prostate cancer. People with higher levels of exposure have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes, according to some studies. Biologists say BPA, like other hormones, seems to have effects at low does that don't occur at high doses That doesn't happen with the other chemicals that toxicologists are accustomed to.
Federal officials are trying to decide whether the chemical, known as BPA, should be regulated. Toxicologists, including some work for federal agencies, is questioning the likelihood that BPA is harming human health. Although biologists studying the chemicals health effects disagree, saying that what's been detected in people is comparable to amounts that have harmed lab animals. BPA is arguably the most controversial chemical in consumer products. It is mostly used to make polycarbonate plastic as well as food and beverage can liners and some paper receipts and dental sealants. Bein widely agreed upon is that the exposure is ubiquitous. 90% of Americans tested have traces of BPA in their bodies. Acts like an estrogen, disrupting hormones, alters the reproductive system and brains development, and sets the stage for breast and prostate cancer. People with higher levels of exposure have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes, according to some studies. Biologists say BPA, like other hormones, seems to have effects at low does that don't occur at high doses That doesn't happen with the other chemicals that toxicologists are accustomed to.
Reflection
I feel like I should be cautious when touching plastic, but that would hard to do considering the fact that everyday we touch some sort of plastic. Before reading this article it made me wonder if I have BPA in my body too since it is estimated that 90 percent of us have traces of it. The surprising part that I found about this is that I didn't really know that BPA can lead to breast and prostate cancer. Although not all plastic has BPA because there are now companies that take BPA out of it's products, which is a good thing. Not only are they helping the environment, but they are also making sure their customers are safe while using their product.
I feel like I should be cautious when touching plastic, but that would hard to do considering the fact that everyday we touch some sort of plastic. Before reading this article it made me wonder if I have BPA in my body too since it is estimated that 90 percent of us have traces of it. The surprising part that I found about this is that I didn't really know that BPA can lead to breast and prostate cancer. Although not all plastic has BPA because there are now companies that take BPA out of it's products, which is a good thing. Not only are they helping the environment, but they are also making sure their customers are safe while using their product.