High BPA levels linked to male sexual problems

[RedEarth]

Source: WASHINGTON POST

Exposure to high levels of a controversial chemical found in thousands of everyday plastic products appears to cause erectile dysfunction and other sexual problems in men, according to a new study published Wednesday.

The study, funded by the federal government and published in the journal Human Reproduction, is the first to examine the impact of bisphenol A, or BPA, on the reproductive systems of human males. Previous studies have involved mice or rats.

The research comes as government agencies debate the safety of BPA, a compound that is found in thousands of consumer products ranging from dental sealants to canned food linings and that is so ubiquitous it has been detected in the urine of 93 percent of the U.S. population.

........

The men handling BPA were four times as likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction and seven times as likely to have difficulty with ejaculation, said De-Kun Li, a scientist at the Kaiser Foundation Research Institute, which conducted the study with funds from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

BPA, which was developed in the 1930s as a synthetic version of estrogen, appears to throw off the hormonal balance in the human body, Li said.



Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/20...

---

.....another BPA article from Consumers Reports......

Concern over canned foods
Our tests find wide range of Bisphenol A in soups, juice, and more

The chemical Bisphenol A, which has been used for years in clear plastic bottles and food-can liners, has been restricted in Canada and some U.S. states and municipalities because of potential health effects. The Food and Drug Administration will soon decide what it considers a safe level of exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA), which some studies have linked to reproductive abnormalities and a heightened risk of breast and prostate cancers, diabetes, and heart disease.

Now Consumer Reports' latest tests of canned foods, including soups, juice, tuna, and green beans, have found that almost all of the 19 name-brand foods we tested contain some BPA. The canned organic foods we tested did not always have lower BPA levels than nonorganic brands of similar foods analyzed. We even found the chemical in some products in cans that were labeled "BPA-free."

http://www.consumerreports.org/health/healthy-living/he...

.....and.......

Two-year-olds at risk from 'gender-bending' chemicals, report says

Two-year-old children are being exposed to dangerous levels of hormone-disrupting chemicals in domestic products such as rubber clogs and sun creams, according to an EU investigation being studied by the government.

The 327-page report says that while risks from "anti-androgen" and "oestrogen-like" substances in individual items have been recognised, the cumulative impact of such chemicals, particularly on boys, is being ignored.

The EU's environment council of ministers is due to agree on a regulatory approach to the use of so-called "gender-bender" compounds before Christmas. On Monday, EU officials will try to work out a strategy for creating risk assessments of products causing concerns. Environmental campaigners fear controls will favour industry and not be sufficiently robust.

Phthalates, one of the main anti-androgen chemicals, which are used as softeners in soap, rubber shoes, bath mats and soft toys, have been blamed for blocking the action of testosterone in the womb and are alleged to cause low sperm counts, high rates of testicular cancer and malformations of the sexual organs.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2009/nov/06/health-eu

[Love Bug]

1. "Better living through chemistry"

Frankly, this doesn't surprise me. I'm sure the chemical load we all carry is the catalist for a great many of our collective health problems, such as cancer, obesity, asthma and the rise of diabetes. What remains to be seen is what will be done about this.

[itsrobert]

2. I don't like using plastics in my dinnerware

I don't know why, but I cringe when someone gives me a drink in a plastic glass. And I never microwave anything in a plastic bowl.

[pattmarty]

3. Another reason not to drink that stupid ass bottled water...........

[BonnieJW]

5. or sodas.

They come in plastic bottles too. Also, those frozen dinners that can be microwaved - take them out of the plastic containers and put them into glass before microwaving.

[depakid]

36. Bisphenol-A is not in bottled water

Unless you put your water in a that sort of bottle.

[Hubert Flottz]

4. I'm glad I've never dated one of those Vinyl blow up gals!

[Ian David]

6. Also explains why I'm lactating.

I'm kidding.

[caraher]

7. Erectile problems?

Now this issue will get SERIOUS attention!

(Though... "big pharma" might not want to see demand for their new ED drugs drop...)

[kestrel91316]

8. Stop buying and eating processed foods packaged in plastic.

I banned that crap, and most canned crap, too, from my kitchen almost 20 years ago.

[Gman2]

9. One of the ways that the industries are fighting this is, manboob pics

I saw a group of hanging, floppy manboobs, on Yahoo. It is obviously a proactive approach to chemical poisining. It is so cute and even sexy to be poisined. I am not so thrilled with it. I am dying of heart failure. I am a moldmaker. The chem cos. were allowed not to divulge the contents of plastics. Trade wecret you know. Fuck them. and manboobs are not cute, and bleeding ten year old girls are not cute either.

[ensho]

10. agree

nt

[MilesColtrane]

11. BPA isn't the only problem.

Diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), used to soften PVC, does the same thing.

[defendandprotect]

25. And we subsidize these corporations/capitalism by permitting them to pollute . . .

Time to tear down every one of these corporations from banks to plastic

factories!!!

[Name removed]

12. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Gman2]

17. There will likely not be a ban. It is needed. But smart use will help.

They didnt provide evacuation equipement. To contain molten and burning plastics. Simple workaround. Nope. They have known these things for years. Bush helped to make a five year window that a chem need not be vetted for harm. Five years, for a chem to proliferate, in the marketplace, before they have to tell you it causes cancer, after five year exposure. It is insane. Meds, are allowed to make up their own tests. And design their own efficacy studies. It's all about the benjamins.

[defendandprotect]

26. "Smart use" . . . are you saying capitalism is ever smart? We need to STOP

this nonsense and fold capitalism and every corporation --

We can live without plastics --

[trungpa ricochet]

13. Kristof in NYT

Seems like this is the chemical of the week: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/08/opinion/08kristof.htm...

[XemaSab]

14. I've been hearing about BPA for 10 years

Where have you been?

[trungpa ricochet]

19. Gone, real gone

We left the US five years ago. We live in France, in the countryside. My wife breast fed all four of our kids. Nobody ever touched a bottle. We eat no canned goods nor anything stored in plastic. The city we left is the most polluted city in America.

[Blue_Tires]

15. man...is anything safe to eat anymore?

90 percent of the food in the house is plastic/canned...

is there a definitive list on exactly what kinds of containers to avoid??

[defendandprotect]

24. PLASTIC CONTAINERS . . .!!!

Remember "Mrs. Robinson" ... and the magic word was "Plastic" whispered in his ear!!!

[Gman2]

16. Yeah, we need Libertarian Negative rights only. Business has our best interests in mind.

With everyone changing jobs often, and even several times per lifetime changing whole careers, your health aint their care. You will get sick on someone elses dime. If you do get sick, their insurance will fight tooth and nail, to prove that it was all some OTHER employers fault. For YEARS. The only thing that will protect workers are unions. And we need to retool unions, to cover swaths of smaller businesses. Somehow.

The employer, and the food producer dont care one wit about your life. In fact, as MM found out, they take out policies on you. It will ALWAYS be someone elses fault. Your lifetime is a hard laboratory to prove. And I have had vigilance about working conditions threaten my job MANY times. And still. You get Dosed.

[FlaGranny]

18. I wonder if the effect of the

BPA is cumulative. If cumulative, 40, 50, or 60 years might result in a lot of ED.

[Javaman]

20. I say we send all repuke males plastic condoms. nt

[Prometheus Bound]

21. It's okay. The chemical industry says we shouldn't be alarmed.

http://www.americanchemistry.com/s_acc/sec_news_article...

Findings From New Study on Occupational Exposure to BPA of Limited Relevance to Consumers

ARLINGTON, VA (Nov. 11, 2009) – “This study of occupational exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) among male factory workers in China provides interesting new information, although its relevance to average consumers who use products containing minute amounts of BPA is limited, at best.

Based on the significant differences between occupational exposure and consumer exposure, the study’s authors state, ‘the findings from this study probably do not apply to populations that are exposed to low levels of BPA.’

In contrast, a recent EPA study, published in Toxicological Sciences, found that exposure to low levels of BPA had no effect on a range of reproductive and behavioral activities measured. This new EPA study, relevant to consumers, supports the conclusions of 11 regulatory bodies worldwide that have recently completed scientific evaluations and found BPA safe, including for use in food-contact materials.

With respect to the Chinese workers’ exposure, the study authors note that the ‘observed association may only apply to highly exposed workers.’ Importantly, it was unclear whether the workers in the study uniformly followed accepted worker–protection measures and procedures designed to prevent high–level exposure. As noted in the 2008 European Union risk assessment of BPA, when established worker–protection measures are taken, no further risk reduction measures are needed to prevent both ‘repeated dose systemic effects and reproductive toxicity for workers.’

It is essential that employees wear the personal protective equipment appropriate to their environment, and follow all established safety procedures. This commitment to worker safety is a core component of ACC’s Responsible Care® program. ACC member companies participate in our Responsible Care program, which incorporates key environmental, health, safety, and security policies to achieve safety excellence and prevention of worker injury. ACC’s member companies that produce BPA remain committed to openly and transparently sharing with the government and the public relevant environmental, health and safety data.”

[JerseygirlCT]

22. Oh man...

as the mother of two boys, I have to wonder what IS safe for them out there?

[defendandprotect]

23. Patriarchy/Captialism is suidical -- and a threat to all of nature, including humans -- !!!

Including organized patriarchal religion . . . "Manifest Destiny" --

"Man's Dominion Over nature" --

all suicidal -- !!!

[depakid]

27. If you'd stick to science and tone down the rhetoric..

Then again, maybe that was parody.

[defendandprotect]

29. In fact, I think it needs to be said ever LOUDER . . .patriarchy is suicidal . . .!!!

That's science based on observation over 50,000 years of male violence and insanity

and the probable loss of humanity, if not the planet with it!!!

[depakid]

32. Keep on keeping on with that

See how far you get.

[defendandprotect]

33. So you're saying that patriarchy is a good thing for the planet?

How about capitalism? Synonymous with democracy?

[depakid]

35. I think what you post is just as dumb as anything on the right

Maybe more so so.

No strike that every bit as much so.

[defendandprotect]

38. So "Manifest Destiny" and "Man's Dominion Over Nature" have done no harm?

Corporations are a bless for us all?

[ensho]

44. agree

patriarchy is suicidal

[onager]

30. We can hope so.

Without some dominion over nature, many pontificating nature freaks could be bitten by rabid canines or eaten by bears while trying to "get closer to nature."

Hmm. On second thought...

[defendandprotect]

34. Then you must think the war on nature is good thing?

[skoalyman]

31. if it that bad they should ban the chemical along with all the other

chemicals or at least ban it from food and drink containers.

[defendandprotect]

28. Btw, they use a lot of plastic in our hospitals . . . . and often in TESTS . . .

There are no provisions to reduce the number of people (100,000) who die annually from medical malpractice in hospitals.

But rather than address any of this, we're going to have TORT reform to prevent the injured and

their families from suing !!!!

[SoCalDem]

37. Someday there will be people listening to us "told-ya-so"s

I am so damned glad my boys grew up wearing leather shoes, cotton clothing, and played with metal & wooden toys. When I used baby-bottles, I always loved those sparkling clean evenflow bottles with the hard black plastic (bakelite maybe) lids..and the baby bottle nipples were still rubber then.. I remember driving all over the place when they discontinued the original two piece rubber Binkie, and replaced it with a one piece soft plastic.. I bought up all the old style binkies I could find..

When they started dish-ragging flameproofing kids jammies, I bought cotton flannel and made them jammies.. Our oldest is 36 (11-11-73) and my husband still has remnants of those old jammies, in the car-washing kit...There are still a few Curity cloth diapers around here too,, after three kids used them

We are poisoning ourselves, and every living thing on this planet

[defendandprotect]

39. Great post . . .

but I fear it's almost too late for humanity and the planet --

[SoCalDem]

42. I;ve already "put the fear" into my youngest son

he's the only one of our kids who will probably have children (his older brothers are both spoiled and don't want kids..but that's ok)

I remind him about how prevalent autism is these days, and how "organic" they should both be and to avoid chemicals.. Luckily Maria (his wife)_ grew up in a family that used ammonia & vinegar to clean with and she any our son are both fond of natural fibers..

The just closed on a house, and they ripped out the carpeting, used "safe" paint and put in tile & bamboo flooring.

Here's hoping

Of course they are just married a year so they will probably not be having a baby all that soon, but advance planning is a good thing.. They are also interested in genetic testing , since they are both 30.

and he does not want her to be pregnant when he's in Africa at World Cup ..and by the time World Cup Brazil comes along, their kid would not be a baby, so he or she could go along

[defendandprotect]

45. An investment in a happy future . . .

for you all, I hope --

[NashVegas]

40. Oh, You're Such a Luddite

Come sit here by me.

[SoCalDem]

43. At the time, I was just being CHEAP..

and since I was a stay-at-home, I had plenty of time to wash those diapers & make my own babyfood

Nothing better than a stack of clean, folded diapers

[Uncle Joe]

41. Well that sucks, I drink a lot fruit juice.

[Trajan]

46. One way to get a man to listen .....

Tell him his peter is gonna shrink .....

Gets'm every time ....

Signed, 52 year old man ....