Plastic, not so fantastic: Increasing Community Awareness of BPA. Georgianna Gardner, PhD Walden University PUBH – 8165 Dr. Raymond Thron, Instructor Spring 2011

Introduction: Plastic Passion Plastic has become the most widely used material in post- modern society. It is estimated that approximately 70% of all consumer products contain some form of plastic that is comprised of (or had exposure to) the potentially harmful chemical ‘Bisphenol -A’ during manufacturing or processing. (EPA, 2010).

Consumer Goods Containing Plastic: Storage containers, medical equipment Canisters for liquids, bottled beverages Baby bottles, pacifiers Toys, instruments, calculators Clothing, shoes, protective gear Auto parts, tools, other equipment Computers, phones, other devices

What is Bisphenol – A ? A high production volume chemical widely used to manufacture plastics, epoxy resins, flame retardants, and other products made of or containing plastic. The chemical properties of BPA are harmful with direct and indirect exposure to high and low level concentrations. Manufacturing, processing, waste disposal facilities, landfills, and non-policed waters have highest BPAH levels.

Environmental Exposure: Annual BPA releases into the environment are estimated at greater than 1 million pounds BPA releases contaminate air, water, soil, that grossly impact human, animal, and plant life. Direct and indirect exposure to BPA is linked to low birth weight, birth defects, respiratory problems, and reproductive disorders. (Barnes et al, 2008).

What BPA Exposure means to you: High volume expenditure of BPA into the environment raise public health concerns of manufacturing and processing practices in regard to public health and safety with direct and indirect exposure (workplace, water systems, air, plants and other vegetation) that have been linked to adverse reproductive and developmental effects in the early stages of life. (Boyd et al, 2003).

Who Is At Risk? Factory and waste management workers Residents of nearby landfills Men Women, especially child-bearing Children, especially fetal

Individuals exposed to BPA in the workplace or place of residence may experience: Asthma or other respiratory problems Reproductive disorders Digestive problems Low birth weight infants Other birth defects Other endocrine-related disorders (Li, 2008)

What is at risk? Air Water Soil Plants/Other vegetation Animals Marine life

BPA contamination of natural resources has adverse impact on the growth, reproduction, and development of various species of amphibians, birds, fish, invertebrates, reptiles, wild animals, and fresh water aquatic species; and especially monkeys, who are most closely genetically related to humans. (Crain et al, 2007; Lahnsteiner et al, 2005).

What can we do? Establish realistic individual and community action goals for increasing awareness of BPA.

BPA Awareness Goals: (1)Increase cognitive awareness of BPA in the community. (2) Provide information about BPA intervention programs or services. (3) Encourage public health policy development for prevention of harmful BPA exposure.

Increasing Awareness of BPA : Facts presentation ( Health Fairs) Prevention education (Health Dept.) Intervention information (Hospitals) Community recycling events (exchange BPA products for coupon or other discount at local retailers for non-BPA products).

Get Involved: Perform a product inventory. Separate items containing BPA. Identify recyclable items. Contact local waste management for proper disposal. Contact local and state law makers about BPA prevention and intervention.

Summary Increasing community awareness of BPA is not intended to force elimination of all plastic, it is intended to increase awareness of the potential harm of exposure to the chemicals used and released. Optimal consideration is to initiate collaborative alternatives that encourage reductions in environmental releases and any subsequent human exposure. ( Gray et al, 2004; Tsai, 2006).

References

Barnes, K., Koplin, D., Furlong, E., Zaugg, S., Meyer, M., and Barber, L. (2008). A National reconnaissance of pharmaceuticals and other organic wastewater contaminants in the United States. Groundwater. Science of the Total Environment; 402(2-3), Boyd, G., Reemtsma, H., Grimm, D., and Mitra, S. (2003). Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in surface and treated waters of Louisiana, USA, and Ontario, Canada. Sci Total Environ; (311): Canada. (2009). Government of Canada acts to protect newborns and infants from Bisphenol A in polycarbonate plastic baby bottles. Retrieve from Crain, D., Eriksen, M., Iguchi, T., Jobling, S., Laufer, H., Le Blanc, G., and Guillette, L., Jr. (2007). An Ecological assessment of Bisphenol A: Evidence from comparative biology. Reprod Toxicology; (24):

Gray, G., Cohen, J., Cunha, G., Hughes, C., McConnell, E., Rhomberg, L., Sipes, I.G., and Mattison, D. (2004). Weight of the evidence evaluation of low-dose reproductive and developmental effects of Bisphenol A. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment; (10): Lahnsteiner, F., Berger, B., Kletzl, M., and Weismann, T. (2005). Effect of Bisphenol A on maturation and quality of semen and eggs of the Brown Trout, Salmo trutta f.fario. Aquatic Toxicology; (75): Lang, I., Galloway, T., Scarlet, A., Henley, W., Depledge, M., Wallace, R., and Melzer, D. (2008). Association of urinary Bisphenol A concentration with medical disorders and laboratory abnormalities in adults. Journal of the American Medical Association, 2008; (300):

Minnesota. (2009). Minnesota Session Laws, 2009, Regular Session, Chapter 40-S.F. No 247, An Act relating to public health; Protecting the health of children: Prohibiting Bisphenol A in products for young children. Office of the Revisor of Statutes. Retrieved from pe=0. pe=0 Tsai, W. (2006). Human health risk on environmental exposure to Bisphenol A: A Review. Journal of Environmental Science and Health Part C; (24): U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2010). Bisphenol A. Retrieved from

For more information on BPA visit: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Environmental Protection Agency: National Institutes of Health: