ฉบับที่ 144 / 2552
แคนาดา และสหรัฐอเมริกาประกาศให้สาร Bisphenol A (BPA)
เป็นสารเคมีอันตรายต้องห้าม
นางสาวชุติมา บุณยประภัศร อธิบดีกรมการค้าต่างประเทศ (คต.) เปิดเผยว่า รัฐบาลแคนาดาประกาศให้สาร Bisphenol A หรือ BPA เป็นสารเคมีอันตรายต้องห้าม เนื่องจากหน่วยงานด้านสาธารณสุข (Health Canada) และด้านสิ่งแวดล้อมของแคนาดา (Environment Canada) ตรวจพบว่าสาร Bisphenol A เป็นสารเคมีที่ใช้สำหรับทำให้พลาสติกแข็งตัวและคงรูปและใช้ในการผลิตภาชนะกระป๋อง ขวดน้ำ ขวดนมเด็ก และ CDs) เป็นอันตรายต่อสิ่งมีชีวิตในธรรมชาติและเป็นสาเหตุของโรคมะเร็ง โรคหัวใจ เบาหวาน และโรคตับ ซึ่งเคยประกาศห้ามจำหน่ายขวดนมเด็กที่มีสาร Bisphenol A ไปแล้วเมื่อวันที่ 19 เมษายน 2551 ซึ่งสำนักงานส่งเสริมการค้าฯนครโตรอนโตคาดว่าภายในปี 2552 รัฐบาลแคนาดาจะประกาศห้ามนำเข้า จำหน่าย และโฆษณาสินค้าพลาสติกและสินค้ากระป๋องที่มีสาร Bisphenol A ปนเปื้อน
นอกจากนี้ สหรัฐอเมริกาเป็นอีกประเทศหนึ่งที่ให้ความสำคัญ และเมืองชิคาโกเป็นเมืองแรกที่จะบังคับใช้กฎหมายนี้ โดยจะออกกฎหมายห้ามใช้สารBPA ในขวดนม หรือภาชนะบรรจุอาหารสำหรับเด็กและทารกวัยแรกเกิด คาดว่าภายหลังผ่านการอนุมัติกฎหมายใหม่นี้จะมีผลบังคับใช้ตั้งแต่วันที่ 31 มกราคม 2553 เป็นต้นไป แต่การประกาศห้ามใช้สาร BPA ของสหรัฐฯ นั้น มีความเข้มงวดมากเมื่อเปรียบเทียบกับประเทศอื่นๆ เช่น สหภาพยุโรป ญี่ปุ่น ออสเตรเลียและนิวซีแลนด์ อย่างไรก็ตาม องค์การอาหารและยาของสหรัฐอเมริกา (US Food and Drug Administration: USFDA) มีความเห็นสอดคล้องกับหน่วยงานกฎหมายในประเทศแคนาดา ยุโรป และญี่ปุ่น ว่าปริมาณสาร BPA ที่พบในบรรจุภัณฑ์ไม่ทำให้เกิดอันตรายต่อสุขภาพที่รุนแรงและเฉียบพลัน ทั้งในผู้บริโภคทั่วไปตลอดจนทารกและเด็กเล็ก ซึ่งอนุญาตให้พบสาร BPAได้ในปริมาณที่ไม่เป็นอันตราย สามารถดูรายละเอียดเพิ่มเติมได้จาก http://fic.nfi.or.th//upload/early/media/4495.pdf และ www.chemicalsubstanceschimiques.gc.challenge-defi/bisphenol-a_e.html
อธิบดีกรมการค้าต่างประเทศกล่าวเพิ่มเติมว่ามีแนวโน้มว่าประเทศต่างๆ จะเข้มงวดมากขึ้นในการห้ามใช้สาร BPA กับผลิตภัณฑ์สำหรับเด็กและทารก ภาชนะพลาสติก กระป๋อง ขวดน้ำ ขวดนม ฯ ดังนั้น ผู้ผลิต ผู้ส่งออกของไทยควรเพิ่มความระมัดระวังในการผลิตสินค้ากลุ่มดังกล่าวไม่ให้มีสาร Bisphenol A ปนเปื้อน เพื่อป้องกันไม่ให้เกิดปัญหาถูกกักเก็บ ทำลาย และห้ามนำเข้าสินค้าของไทยในตลาดแคนาดาและสหรัฐอเมริกา ซึ่งอาจจะมีผลกระทบต่อความเชื่อมั่นของผู้บริโภคได้
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ที่มา : 1. สำนักงานส่งเสริมการค้าในต่างประเทศ ณ นครโตรอนโต
2. สถาบันอาหาร 24 มิถุนายน 2552
pcoc.moc.go.th/.../85/.../ฉบับที่%20144%20ข่าว%20มก%5B1%5D..doc -
เกี่ยวกับฉัน
- สินค้าปลอดสารพิษสำหรับเด็ก
- รณรงค์การเลือกใช้สินค้าปลอดสารพิษเพื่อลูกเด็กไทยแข็งแรง
วันเสาร์ที่ 19 ธันวาคม พ.ศ. 2552
บทความขวดนมที่มีสารพิษBPA
Executive Summary
Products marketed for infants and children are not always completely safe for their use. Many contain toxic chemicals that may have detrimental health impacts for children exposed during critical stages of development. In this report, we analyze the extent to which five popular brands of baby bottles leach bisphenol A, a developmental, neural, and reproductive toxicant, into liquids coming into contact with them. We found that all five brands leach bisphenol A at dangerous levels found to cause harm in numerous laboratory animal studies.
California and the U.S. should reform chemical policy to ensure that all products on the market are safe for children.
Read more about our Environment Health program.
Bisphenol A is a Developmental, Neural, and Reproductive Toxicant
Scientists have linked very low doses of bisphenol A exposure to cancers, impaired immune function, early onset of puberty, obesity, diabetes, and hyperactivity, among other problems.
For example, in one recent study, a single, low dose of bisphenol A administered to a newborn rat resulted in hyperactive behavior.
Exposure to Bisphenol A is Widespread
Bisphenol A is most commonly used to make clear polycarbonate plastic for consumer products, such as baby bottles. Through use, this plastic breaks down and leaches bisphenol A into liquids and food to which it comes into contact.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found bisphenol A in the urine of over 95% of people they tested.
Alarmingly, the median level of bisphenol A in humans is higher than the level that causes adverse effects in animal studies.
Popular Baby Bottles Sold in California Leach Bisphenol A at Harmful Levels
Based on a consumer survey of the most popular baby bottle brands on the market, we selected five bottle types to determine the amount of leaching from each bottle. We found that the bottles tested from all five brands leached bisphenol A at levels found to cause harm in numerous laboratory studies, including:
• Avent
• Dr. Brown’s
• Evenflo
• Gerber
• Playtex
Recommendations for Parents
Parents have the right to know about chemicals in the products they purchase for their children. In the absence of good government regulations, but armed with the knowledge that some chemicals are a cause for concern, parents can take a few simple actions to limit their child’s exposure to these and other toxic chemicals.
At the store, parents should select baby bottles that are made from glass or a safer non-polycarbonate plastic. At home, parents should avoid washing plastic dishware with harsh dishwashing soap and hot water, which may allow chemicals to leach out of the plastic. For a useful tip sheet, parents should visit our toy safety page.
Recommendations for Policymakers
Parents cannot deal with these issues alone. The government must ensure the safety of all products on the market for children. California and the U.S. should:
Phase Out Hazardous Chemicals
Based on the weight of the scientific evidence showing the harm caused by exposure to bisphenol A, the government should act now. Given that data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that bisphenol A is present in humans at levels found to be harmful in laboratory studies, California and the U.S. should phase out the use of bisphenol A, especially in products used by children.
Inform Consumers about the Presence of Dangerous Chemicals
Parents currently have little information to inform their decisions when purchasing products for their family. Manufacturers should be required to label children’s products with the name of any potentially dangerous chemical and the specific health risks associated with the chemical.
Reform Chemicals Policy
Currently, manufacturers can put chemicals on the market without proving they are safe. Chemical manufacturers should be required to provide all hazard and health-effects information to the government so agencies can begin to assess the thousands of chemicals currently on the market for which little or inadequate data are available. Next, pre-market hazard and health-effects testing should be required for all new chemicals before they are introduced into commerce. Finally, the California Environmental Protection Agency must have the authority to protect public health by banning or restricting the use of a chemical if evidence shows that it can harm human health.
Products marketed for infants and children are not always completely safe for their use. Many contain toxic chemicals that may have detrimental health impacts for children exposed during critical stages of development. In this report, we analyze the extent to which five popular brands of baby bottles leach bisphenol A, a developmental, neural, and reproductive toxicant, into liquids coming into contact with them. We found that all five brands leach bisphenol A at dangerous levels found to cause harm in numerous laboratory animal studies.
California and the U.S. should reform chemical policy to ensure that all products on the market are safe for children.
Read more about our Environment Health program.
Bisphenol A is a Developmental, Neural, and Reproductive Toxicant
Scientists have linked very low doses of bisphenol A exposure to cancers, impaired immune function, early onset of puberty, obesity, diabetes, and hyperactivity, among other problems.
For example, in one recent study, a single, low dose of bisphenol A administered to a newborn rat resulted in hyperactive behavior.
Exposure to Bisphenol A is Widespread
Bisphenol A is most commonly used to make clear polycarbonate plastic for consumer products, such as baby bottles. Through use, this plastic breaks down and leaches bisphenol A into liquids and food to which it comes into contact.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found bisphenol A in the urine of over 95% of people they tested.
Alarmingly, the median level of bisphenol A in humans is higher than the level that causes adverse effects in animal studies.
Popular Baby Bottles Sold in California Leach Bisphenol A at Harmful Levels
Based on a consumer survey of the most popular baby bottle brands on the market, we selected five bottle types to determine the amount of leaching from each bottle. We found that the bottles tested from all five brands leached bisphenol A at levels found to cause harm in numerous laboratory studies, including:
• Avent
• Dr. Brown’s
• Evenflo
• Gerber
• Playtex
Recommendations for Parents
Parents have the right to know about chemicals in the products they purchase for their children. In the absence of good government regulations, but armed with the knowledge that some chemicals are a cause for concern, parents can take a few simple actions to limit their child’s exposure to these and other toxic chemicals.
At the store, parents should select baby bottles that are made from glass or a safer non-polycarbonate plastic. At home, parents should avoid washing plastic dishware with harsh dishwashing soap and hot water, which may allow chemicals to leach out of the plastic. For a useful tip sheet, parents should visit our toy safety page.
Recommendations for Policymakers
Parents cannot deal with these issues alone. The government must ensure the safety of all products on the market for children. California and the U.S. should:
Phase Out Hazardous Chemicals
Based on the weight of the scientific evidence showing the harm caused by exposure to bisphenol A, the government should act now. Given that data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that bisphenol A is present in humans at levels found to be harmful in laboratory studies, California and the U.S. should phase out the use of bisphenol A, especially in products used by children.
Inform Consumers about the Presence of Dangerous Chemicals
Parents currently have little information to inform their decisions when purchasing products for their family. Manufacturers should be required to label children’s products with the name of any potentially dangerous chemical and the specific health risks associated with the chemical.
Reform Chemicals Policy
Currently, manufacturers can put chemicals on the market without proving they are safe. Chemical manufacturers should be required to provide all hazard and health-effects information to the government so agencies can begin to assess the thousands of chemicals currently on the market for which little or inadequate data are available. Next, pre-market hazard and health-effects testing should be required for all new chemicals before they are introduced into commerce. Finally, the California Environmental Protection Agency must have the authority to protect public health by banning or restricting the use of a chemical if evidence shows that it can harm human health.
BPA คืออะไร และจะหลีกเลี่ยงอย่างไร
We have been bombarded with plastic in everything for years but people are beginning to question the chemicals that go into products.
Baby bottles and toys made out of polycarbonate plastic have been the focus of a lot of scrutiny because this type of plastic contains the hormone disruptor bisphenol A.
According to a report on a scientific study (Toxic Baby Bottles, Rachel L. Gibson, 2007) five of the more popular brands of baby bottles were tested and they all leached levels of bisphenol A that were unacceptable. No level is considered safe but the varying levels of bisphenol A found in the bottles went from 5 to 10ppb (parts per billion).
About Bisphenol A
Bisphenol A is a toxic hormone disruptor and has been linked to cancer, hyperactivity, birth defects, diabetes, lowered sperm count and early onset of puberty. It has also been associated with impaired immune systems and even obesity although further studies are needed. In many cases, laws are outdated so manufacturers are not required to prove the chemicals are safe.
The polycarbonate plastic breaks down so leeches into formula and/or food. This process happens faster when the plastic is heated, washed or an acidic food or drink is used.
Safer Suggestions and Options
Glass bottles are considered much safer and are quite sturdy so switching to glass is a sensible option.
Stainless steel
Read more at Suite101: Toxic Plastic Baby Bottles: Research Shows Bisphenol A Leeches from Infant Bottles | Suite101.com http://pollution-control.suite101.com/article.cfm/toxic_plastic_baby_bottles#ixzz0a94CLwVK
If you are using plastic bottles or containers, stay away from anything marked with the letters PC. You will usually see that near the recycling symbol if it’s there.
Polycarbonate plastics are also marked number 7 along with the recycling symbols. Safer plastics are usually softer and opaque while the bottles made with polycarbonate plastic are very hard and clear or tinted.
Avoid canned food or cut down as much as possible. Bisphenol A is in some of the plastic used in the lining of cans.
Avoid heating plastic bottles and containers in the microwave. Glass containers are better options.
For toys, it’s just as important to make sure safer plastics are used because they all have the potential to end up in a small child’s mouth. There are many wooden toys that are much safer and in some cases much more attractive.
Environmental organizations along with parents in the U.S. and Canada are calling to ban baby bottles made with polycarbonate plastic. While some manufacturers say findings are exaggerated and biased, there are safer alternatives. It would be in everyone’s best interest for them to phase out plastics containing bisphenol A.
Read more at Suite101: Toxic Plastic Baby Bottles: Research Shows Bisphenol A Leeches from Infant Bottles | Suite101.com http://pollution-control.suite101.com/article.cfm/toxic_plastic_baby_bottles#ixzz0a94SZeSa
Baby bottles and toys made out of polycarbonate plastic have been the focus of a lot of scrutiny because this type of plastic contains the hormone disruptor bisphenol A.
According to a report on a scientific study (Toxic Baby Bottles, Rachel L. Gibson, 2007) five of the more popular brands of baby bottles were tested and they all leached levels of bisphenol A that were unacceptable. No level is considered safe but the varying levels of bisphenol A found in the bottles went from 5 to 10ppb (parts per billion).
About Bisphenol A
Bisphenol A is a toxic hormone disruptor and has been linked to cancer, hyperactivity, birth defects, diabetes, lowered sperm count and early onset of puberty. It has also been associated with impaired immune systems and even obesity although further studies are needed. In many cases, laws are outdated so manufacturers are not required to prove the chemicals are safe.
The polycarbonate plastic breaks down so leeches into formula and/or food. This process happens faster when the plastic is heated, washed or an acidic food or drink is used.
Safer Suggestions and Options
Glass bottles are considered much safer and are quite sturdy so switching to glass is a sensible option.
Stainless steel
Read more at Suite101: Toxic Plastic Baby Bottles: Research Shows Bisphenol A Leeches from Infant Bottles | Suite101.com http://pollution-control.suite101.com/article.cfm/toxic_plastic_baby_bottles#ixzz0a94CLwVK
If you are using plastic bottles or containers, stay away from anything marked with the letters PC. You will usually see that near the recycling symbol if it’s there.
Polycarbonate plastics are also marked number 7 along with the recycling symbols. Safer plastics are usually softer and opaque while the bottles made with polycarbonate plastic are very hard and clear or tinted.
Avoid canned food or cut down as much as possible. Bisphenol A is in some of the plastic used in the lining of cans.
Avoid heating plastic bottles and containers in the microwave. Glass containers are better options.
For toys, it’s just as important to make sure safer plastics are used because they all have the potential to end up in a small child’s mouth. There are many wooden toys that are much safer and in some cases much more attractive.
Environmental organizations along with parents in the U.S. and Canada are calling to ban baby bottles made with polycarbonate plastic. While some manufacturers say findings are exaggerated and biased, there are safer alternatives. It would be in everyone’s best interest for them to phase out plastics containing bisphenol A.
Read more at Suite101: Toxic Plastic Baby Bottles: Research Shows Bisphenol A Leeches from Infant Bottles | Suite101.com http://pollution-control.suite101.com/article.cfm/toxic_plastic_baby_bottles#ixzz0a94SZeSa
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