CHILDHOOD EXPOSURE TO BPA & PHTHALATES Megan Sirna
OUTLINE Learning objectives What are phthalates and BPA? How are children exposed? What are the effects of childhood exposure? What laws and regulations are in place? Knowing all of this, what actions can public health professionals take?
LEARNING OBJECTIVES 1. Differentiate between phthalates and BPA 2. Describe the effects of childhood exposure to phthalates and BPA 3. Examine regulations and policies related to phthalates and BPA 4. Identify actions for public health practitioners
PHTHALATES AND BPA Bisphenol-A (BPA) is used to harden plastics Phthalates are used to soften plastics Both are found in many consumer products
CHILDHOOD EXPOSURE Plastic toys Packaged foods and beverages Baby bottles
TOXIC EFFECTS Abnormalities in gender development, sexuality, and reproductive capabilities Liver cancer Skeletal, cardiovascular, and eye abnormalities Anxious, depressive, and hyperactive behavior
LAWS & REGULATIONS California AB 1108 “Toxic Toy Bill” 2008 – Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, Section – FDA amends Food Additives Regulation 2013 – OEHHA lists BPA on California Prop 65, one week later delists
CPSC & CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION: NOV. 20,
PUBLIC HEALTH IMPLICATIONS Answer gaps in the literature Advocate for safer and equitable policies and alternatives Precautionary approach
ALTERNATIVES? PHTHALATES Citrates Sebacates Adipates Phosphates Petroleum-based plastics Bio-based plastics BPA Glass Polypropylene Stainless Steel Aluminum High Density Polyethylene
REFERENCES Becker, M., Edwards, S., & Massey, R. (2010). Toxic chemicals in toys and children’s products: Limitations of current responses and recommendations for government and industry. Environmental Science and Technology, 44(21): doi: /es Braun, J., Kalkbrenner, A., Calafat, A., Yolton, K., Ye, X., Dietrich, K., & Lanphear, B. (2011). Impact of early-life bisphenol-a exposure on behavior and executive function in children. Pediatrics, 128(5): doi: /peds California Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. (2013, April). Proposition 65: Chemical delisted effective April 19, 2013 as known to the State of California to cause reproductive toxicity: Bisphenol-A (BPA). Retrieved from Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, Pub. L. No §108, (2008). Consumer Production Safety Commission (2013, November 20). CBP, CPSC Seize 200K Toy Dolls at U.S. Ports [Video file]. Retrieved from Guerra, L. (2006). Bisphenol-A and its harmful effects on human development. Sustainable Development Law & Policy, 6(3): 54. Retrieved from Johnson, S., Saikia, N., & Sahu, R. (2011). Phthalates in toys available in Indian market. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 86: doi: /s Koch, W. (2012, July 7). FDA officially bans BPA, or bisphenol-A, from baby bottles. USA Today. Retrived from Lowell Center for Sustainable Production (2011). Phthalates and Their Alternatives: Health and Environmental Concerns. Retrieved from National Conference of State Legislatures. (n.d.). NCSL policy update: State restrictions on Bisphenol-A (BPA) in consumer products. Retrieved from Priebe, M. B. (n.d.). How to Avoid Toxic Plastic Toys. Retrieved November 2013, from toys.html#sthash.s0I0qFQu.dpuf Sathyanarayana, S., Karr, C., Lozano, P., Brown, E., Calafat, A., Liu, F., & Swan, S. (2008). Baby care products: Possible sources of infant phthalate exposure. Pediatrics, 121: e260-e268. doi: /peds Shea, K. & Committee on Environmental Health. (2003). Pediatric exposure and potential toxicity of phthalate plasticizers. Pediatrics, 111(6), Retrieved from Zimmer, K., Gutleb, A., Ravnum, S., von Krauss, M., Murk, A., Ropstad, E., … & Keune, H. (2012). Policy relevant results from an expert elicitation on the health risks of phthalates. Environmental Health, 11(Suppl 1): S6. doi: / X-11-S1-S6.