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Study links BPA to breathing problems in babies
Breathing problems in young babies has become the latest heath risk to be connected with exposure to the controversial chemical Bisphenol-A (BPA) that is used in some food packaging.
In a study entitled Prenatal Bisphenol A is a risk for early transient wheeze, US researchers found that pregnant mothers with the highest levels BPA in their bodies were twice as likely to have babies who suffer from wheezing in their first six months.
Wheezing in babies can be a symptom of lung damage, asthma, bronchitis, allergies or an infection.
BPA, which is used to harden plastics, can be found in baby bottles, CD cases and food and drink packaging.
In March, the EU decided to ban the controversial chemical in baby bottles across Europe.
Because the chemical mimics oestrogen, many scientists believe it interferes with the way hormones are processed by the body.
Breast cancer link
Although several animal studies have shown it to be safe, others have linked BPA to breast cancer, liver damage, obesity, diabetes and fertility problems.
The study looked at the BPA levels of 367 pregnant women, with researchers at Penn State College of Medicine measuring levels of the chemical in expectant mothers in the 16th and 26th week of pregnancy.
They found 99% of women had measurable levels of the chemical in their bodies and those with the highest levels in their 16th week were twice as likely to have babies who wheezed at six months old than women with the lowest levels.
However, the study also found that high concentrations of BPA at 26 weeks and at birth were not connected to the condition.
‘Hormone-disrupting chemicals’
Some experts suggest exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals causes the most harm during a crucial window of development early on in pregnancy, and believe women of child-bearing age should avoid products containing BPA.
Chemicals, Health and Environment Monitoring Trust director Elizabeth Salter-Green said: “This new research adds further weight to the need to reduce our exposure to this chemical, particularly pregnant women.
“It is the foetus developing in utero that is most vulnerable to BPA exposures.”
Last year France and Denmark banned the use of BPA in babies’ bottles. Canada and three US states have also introduced restrictions.
‘More research’
Adam J. Spanier, lead author of the study, called for more research into BPA. He explained:
“Consumers need more information about the chemicals in the products they purchase so they can make informed decisions.
“Additional research is needed in this area to determine if changes should be made in public policy to reduce exposure to this chemical.”
He concluded that women of child-bearing age should consider avoiding products made with BPA.
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