After many years of suspicion, a definitive link between BPA exposure and autism has been found. Researchers have shown that children with autism metabolize BPA differently than normal children.
Bisphenol-A (BPA), is a chemical widely used in plastic bottles and cans. It is associated with cancer, infertility, and fetal development issues. Once it enters the body, BPA behaves like estrogen, a human hormone. It disturbs the normal operation of certain genes and is harmful even at very low doses, such as those found in plastic bottles and cans.
Urine samples of 20% of the children with autism included a substantially higher level of BPA compared to the general population.
What’s a health conscious parent to do?
Here are some practical tips to reduce your family’s BPA exposure:
- When possible, choose fresh products instead of canned
- Drink tap water instead of bottled water
- Use a BPA-free reusable water bottle, such as an unlined stainless steel bottle
- Drink beverages such as beer from glass bottles instead of cans
- Don’t use polycarbonate plastics (marked with a #7 PC) for storing food or beverages
- Choose frozen vegetables and soups and broth that come in glass jars or in aseptic “brick” cartons – they are BPA-free
- Avoid canned beverages, foods and soups, especially if pregnant or feeding young children.
—
Source:
Bisphenol A Exposure in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders – Stein et al. – Autism Research – JAN 2015
