Summary:
Bisphenol A or BPA as known to the public, is one of the most controversial chemical that is used in consumer products. Used in the production of polycarbonate plastic, food and beverage can liners, paper receipts, and dental sealants, federal agencies are questioning whether BPA has the ability to harm human health. Exposure is ubiquitous with more than 90 percent Americans already showing traces of BPA present in their bodies. This chemical disrupts the hormones, alters the reproductive system and brain development, and sets the stage for both breast and prostate cancer. At the American Association for Advancement of Science meeting in Boston, they focused on developing models that use numbers to make predictions, in the case to describe the amount of the chemical in the human body and how it will react. Scientists have found a wide arrange of data and not a set conclusion has been stated. One experiment that has been conducted shows that there is not sufficient evidence that claims humans are at risk to the current exposure levels, but many biologists are concerned over the fact that these models may be used by the FDA to tell the public that BPA is safe. Other studies have claimed that BPA at incredibly low doses, can alter pituitary, breast, and prostate cells.
Bisphenol A or BPA as known to the public, is one of the most controversial chemical that is used in consumer products. Used in the production of polycarbonate plastic, food and beverage can liners, paper receipts, and dental sealants, federal agencies are questioning whether BPA has the ability to harm human health. Exposure is ubiquitous with more than 90 percent Americans already showing traces of BPA present in their bodies. This chemical disrupts the hormones, alters the reproductive system and brain development, and sets the stage for both breast and prostate cancer. At the American Association for Advancement of Science meeting in Boston, they focused on developing models that use numbers to make predictions, in the case to describe the amount of the chemical in the human body and how it will react. Scientists have found a wide arrange of data and not a set conclusion has been stated. One experiment that has been conducted shows that there is not sufficient evidence that claims humans are at risk to the current exposure levels, but many biologists are concerned over the fact that these models may be used by the FDA to tell the public that BPA is safe. Other studies have claimed that BPA at incredibly low doses, can alter pituitary, breast, and prostate cells.
Reflection:
BPA has been a well known potential chemical to the public for a while now. Until now, I did not know the risks that could accompany BPA poisoning, and I also did not know it was in so much of our daily items. I think it is insane that companies have been putting this chemical in plastics and everyday appliances that even babies use. The ones that do not have a fully developed immune system and that such traces can leave very harmful consequences too. Despite many scientists that have proven the chemical to be safe, I think any chemical that is given such a warning should be regulated. Whether it is safe or not, there is a reason for that chemical to be questioned, and just because scientists have not been able to conclude that it is unsafe to the public, does not mean that it is safe until proven. If that was the case, many people would be dead. It is scary to think that companies continue to use such a chemical despite the controversies, and the public remains unaware of whether it is safe, and if it is the cheapest, it is most likely purchased. In my personal opinion, I think that if any chemical is being tested on for being safe or unsafe, government should place a ban on using the chemical until proven safe.
BPA has been a well known potential chemical to the public for a while now. Until now, I did not know the risks that could accompany BPA poisoning, and I also did not know it was in so much of our daily items. I think it is insane that companies have been putting this chemical in plastics and everyday appliances that even babies use. The ones that do not have a fully developed immune system and that such traces can leave very harmful consequences too. Despite many scientists that have proven the chemical to be safe, I think any chemical that is given such a warning should be regulated. Whether it is safe or not, there is a reason for that chemical to be questioned, and just because scientists have not been able to conclude that it is unsafe to the public, does not mean that it is safe until proven. If that was the case, many people would be dead. It is scary to think that companies continue to use such a chemical despite the controversies, and the public remains unaware of whether it is safe, and if it is the cheapest, it is most likely purchased. In my personal opinion, I think that if any chemical is being tested on for being safe or unsafe, government should place a ban on using the chemical until proven safe.