Toxic Nation | Pollution. It's In You.

For those of you watching or reading the news last week, you’ve probably come across a couple of BPA stories making the media rounds. Regardless of whether you have or haven’t seen them, know that both are significant in that they further vindicate Canada’s earlier position on the substance (that it’s harmful) and that they contribute to building momentum for broader BPA bans (including the need to get it out of all food and beverage containers).

A multi-year study which examined 634 workers in China found that workers in BPA manufacturing facilities, in comparison to those working in facilities where no BPA was present, had more than four times the risk of erectile dysfunction, more than seven times the risk of ejaculation difficulty, and almost four times the risk of reduced sexual desire and overall satisfaction with their sex life. Increasing BPA exposure was associated with increasing sexual dysfunction risk.

BPA, the hormone-mimicking chemical banned from baby bottles in Canada is also known to be used for carbonless copy papers (i.e., most cash-register and credit-card receipts) and thermal imaging papers. These may potentially be another significant source of exposure that requires addressing.

A new study conducted by a team of researchers, including Bruce Lanphear from Simon Fraser University (SFU) in Canada, found that daughters born to women who had higher bisphenol A (BPA) concentrations in their urine during pregnancy were more likely to have aggressive and hyperactive behaviours than those born to women who had lower BPA concentrations.

Health Canada testing has found bisphenol A (BPA) in jarred baby food with metal lids and some polycarbonate bottles of drinking water. The compound was detected in 84% of samples.

Following hot on the heels of Canada’s ban, the US federal Congress, along with lawmakers in 24 US states, are working to ban bisphenol A (BPA) in a number of products, from plastic baby bottles to metal food cans. Health studies have linked BPA to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, developmental problems, nerve damage and an increased risk of breast and prostate cancer.

 A new U.S. study, published in the medical journal Acta Paediatrica, has found children conceived in the spring or summer have an increased risk of being born with birth defects, possibly as a result of pesticide exposure.

Sunoco, a Philadelphia-based gas and chemical company, announced earlier this month they will refuse to sell bisphenol A (BPA) for use in children’s products. They will be the first global manufacturer to act on safety concerns surrounding the controversial chemical.

The company is requiring its customers to guarantee that bisphenol A will not be used in food and beverage containers for children under the age of three. They will not sell the chemical compound to customers unable to meet this requirement.

Health Canada will collect samples from 60 water-treatment plants and distribution systems across the country to test for potential contaminants. The tests are being done as a precaution over concerns raised by the scientific community about contaminants in tap water which may be linked to increased risk of cancer and other health issues.

The tests will focus on the following:

A new interactive web site graphically depicts the latest science surrounding the effects of controversial chemicals on babies in the womb. “Critical Windows of Development” is an electronic database that presents a timeline of fetus development and provides information on the potential health effects that can result from low exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals.