Plastic BPA drinking glasses for grown ups...

[beccaB]

I would like to know too- any scientisits out there working with parabens and other cosmetic ingredients?

[smilingcat]

Hi TSPoet,

I would like to know to without the media hype and BS. So please let us in on your thoughts.

BTW, in college I started as a physics, major, then went to Chem E. then ended up as an EE. And there are others here with chemical background and I'm sure they would like to know too.

I was more into statistical thermodynamics with Grand Canonical Equations, Eyering rate of reaction theory, simpler version is arrhenius (sp) rate of reaction Aexp(-Ea/kt)... so I am very much interested in what you have to say.

sincerely,

Smilingcat

[TsPoet]

um, OK...
First, I have a PhD in Pharmacology/Toxicology and my sub-field is pharmacokinetics and risk assessment. Back in 15xx, Paracelsus said something to the effect of "the dose makes the poison" (if you google Paracelsus, you'll find what he really said, but that's close enough). Basically what that means is, it doesn't matter if its toxic if you don't get enough of it. Everything is toxic, I've heard stories of people drinking too much water and dieing. Bisphenol A is a big example of this - in studies in rats where they dose with huge amounts of the stuff it has a whole bunch of adverse effects, and its has a fairly well defined mechanism of action. It's mechanism of action is relevant to humans. So, now, media and lots of poeple start screaming, take it out of everything! Which sounds like it makes sence, but
here's the rub. A tiny, almost infinitesimal amount of BPA leaches into your food and water. So, your dose is a fraction of the rat's dose. But, what does that mean? Well, you have to take it a step further, what amount of that absorbs through your intestine? Again, that's a fraction of the infinitesimal "dose" that got there. In fact, studies being done in humans are hampered by detection limits - the amount getting in is so tiny it can't be measured. Oh - in fact there are studies being done in humans - that right there says a lot. My group works with BPA, I don't personally do that. I work with pesticides - we couldn't get permission to do any of the studies that are being done with BPA with our pesticides.
The first big study with BPA that started all this hype can't be repeated, several labs have tried and they just can't get the same results.
So, much of what you've heard about BPA is true - at very very high doses in rats. At low doses - absolutely nothing. Your body is an amazing thing, it can safely clear not only BPA but millions of other things you are exposed to everyday.
BPA is one of the latest-greatest hypes. Wait a few years, it will be something else.
I purposefully expose myself to so many much much more toxic things - alcohol, caffeine, benzene (in gasoline, nasty stuff)... But these we all accept because they've always been there.

[smilingcat]

aspirin in large dose is fatal too.

The question that begs then, is BPA toxicity cumulative like heavy metal poisoning or does the body manage to heal itself before the next round of low level exposure?

sometimes trying to study events at or near the limits of reliable detection leads to junk science. Cold fusion is a good example.

so thank you for your perspective. I really wonder at times of "accelerated life testing" or other testing methods and extrapolating down. It makes me cringe.

[OakLeaf]

So we have to know definitively that something is harmful before we decide to avoid it? What about Catrin's helmet, that had no visible evidence of damage from her fall? Do you also think it was stupid for me to advise her to get a new one?

None of the studies have examined BPA in combination with any of the other endocrine disruptors that are ubiquitous in our environment. The OP never said that avoiding BPA was the only step she was taking to reduce her risk. If she's like me, she's already reduced or discontinued alcohol consumption, wears nitrile gloves to change her vehicles' oil and lube their chains, doesn't allow the electric company to spray 2,4-D on her property, etc., etc. Nor did she say what her inalterable personal risk factors might be, nor would I expect her to in this forum.

What's so important about polycarbonate tableware and packaging, that you have to sneer at people who want to avoid it?



To the OP... why not stainless steel? Does it have to be plastic?

[Tri Girl]

tsPoet- thank you for your side, and telling what you see on a daily basis. Hearing from both sides is important in order to make a logical conclusion based on what's best for an individual. Thank your for sharing!

I will still decide stay away from PBA, nitrates, parabens, lauryl sulphates, etc.
I think we've become toxic in our society, and I'm trying my best (for me) to eliminate anything unnatural as much as possible (on the outside, or what I put inside me for that matter). I might be a tad off the deep end in some respects, but it's what's best for me.
I know the media gets on it's "kicks" sometimes... for good or bad.

Back to the op- I couldn't find ANYTHING when looking online. Sippy cups galore- but NOTHING more than 10 oz. Wow- you wouldn't think it would be so hard to find that kind of thing for adults.

[channlluv]

So you're saying it's okay if I leave a disposable plastic bottle of water in the car, it gets hot, then cools off again, and I can drink it anyway? Because right now I save those for rinsing our feet after the beach.

And nail polish...that's okay, too? Woohoo! I'm back on for mani-pedis. As soon as I get down to 220, I'm treating myself.

Roxy