Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Reference: Bisphenol A (BPA)

Packaging chemical 'increases heart disease risk'
Exposure to a ubiquitous chemical used in plastic baby bottles, food cans and a host of other products may increase the risk of developing heart disease and diabetes, a study suggests.

In the first major study of the possible health effects of bisphenol A (BPA), one of the world’s most heavily-produced substances, researchers found that even small traces in the body — less than 100 times the current recommended limits — were potentially linked to health problems.

BPA can be found in detectable levels in nine out of ten people, suggesting that it is widespread and enters the body primarily through food but also through drinking water, dental sealants, absorption through the skin or inhalation of household dusts.

The researchers, from the Peninsula Medical School, Exeter, found that relatively high levels of the chemical found in urine were associated with a three times higher risk of cardiovascular disease and more than twice the risk for type-2 diabetes.

OK, this is really really really freaking me out now.

This is a chemical I also mentioned at the old blog: Today’s This Is Just Too Damned Scary For Me To Think About

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