Born Smart

baby bottles

An animal study on the environmental toxins and Oestrogen mimics, BPA (Bisphenol A) and DES (diethylstilbestrol) found babies exposed to these substances may have increased risk of breast cancer.

Hugh Taylor, MD of Yale University School of Medicine says, “BPA is a weak estrogen and DES is a strong estrogen, yet our study shows both have a profound effect on gene expression in the mammary gland (breast) throughout life.  All estrogens, even ‘weak’ ones can alter the development of the breast and ultimately place adult women who were exposed to them prenatally at risk of breast cancer.”

DES is a growth hormone used in the beef and poultry industry, supposedly phased out in the 1970’s, a novel published in 1998 My Year Of Meats, depicts is continued illegal use.

BPA is used in the manufacture of baby bottles, water bottles and food containers.  Studies by Duke University Medical Center as far back as 2007, found BPA disrupted brain development and caused changes in fertility in mice.  The levels used in these experiments were five times lower than what is considered harmful for mice.

Government and Industry response remain controversial with Canada the only country to place  BPA on their list of toxic substances.  You can check your country’s updated position on BPA here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bisphenol_A#Government_and_industry_response.

According to the Washington Post in March 2009 six major US baby bottle manufacturers have agreed not to sell polycarbonate bottles which contain BPA in the US, however in a decision I consider to be unethical, they continue to export these bottles to other countries.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100521102633.htm