Do Low Doses of BPA Harm People?
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/do-low-doses-of-bpa-harm/
By: Elizabeth Grossman
February 20, 2013
Environmental Science: BPA
February 20, 2013
Environmental Science: BPA
Summary: This article is about the increasing studies being done to see the common toxin known as BPA is safe to human health or not. This argument was held at the American Association of Advancement of Science in Boston. BPA is commonly found in the liners of canned foods, some paper receipts and dental sealant. It is used to make polycarbonate plastic as well as food and beverage can liners and some paper receipts and dental sealants Although toxicologists say that BPA isn't harming the human body, but it has been found in more than 90 percent of the Americans tested. Biologists who say that what's been detected in people is comparable to amounts that have harmed lab animals. BPA is the most common chemical found in consumer products by far. Frederick vom Saal says that BPA can alter breast and prostate cells. In addition, the biologists say BPA, like other hormones, seems to have effects at low doses that don’t occur at high doses. While they readily acknowledge data gaps, they maintain that existing evidence strongly suggests that BPA is capable of affecting health at low levels of exposure.
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Reflection: After reading this article I've learned the type of argument scientists get into when discussing something like BPA. The fact that more than 90% of the Americans that were tested had BPA found in them is scary to me. This makes me think that maybe it is harmful to you. What also is very frightening to me, is that BPA is used for plastic, and can liners which us humans purchase and have. If BPA is harmful, I think that it should stop being used. The thought of even having it in my body is not pleasant at all. Biologists even said that the amount in people is comparable to amounts that have harmed lab animals. Even though there hasn't been any evidence on any effects of BPA in people, I still think that BPA needs to be researched until we find out the truth on whether or not it is harmful or not. It may not affect us now, but it could in the long run. If we wait too long till one person becomes extremely harmed, then it'll start happening to every else in the world. Until we find out the truth about BPA is when me and the rest of the world will feel safe.
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