Bisphenol A (BPA)
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical used in making hard polycarbonate plastics, epoxy resins, and as a developer in thermal receipt paper.
It's found in the lining of most food and drink cans, hard plastic sport water bottles, plastic baby bottles, pacifiers and baby toys, some dental sealants, computers, cell phones, paints, adhesives, enamels, varnishes, CDs, DVDs, certain microwavable or reusable food and drink containers, and in about 40 percent of all retail store receipts.
PCC receipts are BPA-free but do contain BPS, which also is estrogenic but less so than BPA.
BPA has been found to have estrogenic properties and is believed to be a hormone disruptor and carcinogen.
To avoid BPA
- Purchase fresh foods and cook. A PCC Cooks class can help.
- Throw all paper receipts in the trash. Do not recycle them. If they contain BPA, it will contaminate the supply stream and reappear in new products.
- Store food in glass, enamel or stainless steel containers — all non-porous surfaces.
- Avoid plastic food containers and bottles showing "#7" or "PC" (polycarbonate) on the bottom. Not all #7 labeled products are polycarbonate but this is a reasonable guideline. #2, #4 and #5 plastics are safer.
- Never heat food in any plastic containers, which promotes leaching of plasticizers.
- Recycle old or scratched plastic bottles and containers.
- Choose a stainless steel water bottle, available at PCC, made without BPA.