BPA-Free Plastics Leach Hormone-Like Chemicals

Switching from plastic may not help depending on liner

(USER SUBMITTED) - A new study from toxicologist Scott Belcher of the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine indicates that switching to metal water bottles from polycarbonate-plastic may not eliminate the risk of BPA leaching, reports Science News . It's the resin liner in the metal bottles that can be the culprit. Fortunately, the new BPA-free plastic bottles and those made from stainless steel with no liner or a BPA-free liner were found to have no traces of the pollutant chemical. More»

Fresh food diet best way to avoiding risky chemical

(NEWSER) - The estrogen-mimicking compound BPA, linked to health problems including breast cancer and infertility , is found in plastics, canned food, and even store receipts. It's nearly impossible to avoid it completely, but researchers say eating more fresh food helps and Fast Company has some tips for further cutting down exposure. Try to avoid:

• Bottled water—Drink from the tap or try BPA-free stainless steel bottles.
• Canned foods— found to be especially high in BPA —unless the can states that it has a BPA-free lining.

'Worst case is some women may have little beards," says LePage

(NEWSER) - If you're worried about the dangers of BPA , you shouldn't be, according to Maine’s governor. The worst thing that could result from exposure to the chemical is that some women could grow "little beards," Paul LePage said last week. LePage made the comment to support his argument that Maine needn’t rush to restrict BPA—which is commonly used in plastics such as water bottles—because there isn’t enough scientific evidence to support the ban. More»

Widely used BPA comes under more fire

(NEWSER) - A study of workers exposed to high levels of bisphenol A—a chemical widely used in plastic bottles and packaging—have a much higher incidence of sexual dysfunction than their counterparts. The study of Chinese workers found those exposed to BPA were 4 times more likely to report erectile dysfunction and low sexual desire. They were 7 times more likely to report problems with ejaculation. More»

(AP) - Being fat could become the leading cause of cancer in women in Western countries in the coming years, say European researchers. Being overweight or obese accounts for up to 8% of cancers in Europe. That figure is poised to increase substantially as the obesity epidemic continues, and as major causes of cancer, such as smoking, drop. Colorectal cancer, breast cancer in menopausal women, and endometrial cancer accounted for 65% of all cancers linked to being fat. More»