Watch CBS News

HealthWatch: Study Finds Food Packaging A Source Of BPA

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS 5) -- A new peer-reviewed study suggests how food packaging is a substantial source of exposure to Bisphenol A or BPA, an industrial chemical that some studies have linked to serious health problems, including breast cancer, infertility, and early puberty.

The study involved five Bay Area families, including the Laurlands of Alamo. Researchers from the Breast Cancer Fund and the Silent Spring Institute discovered significant drops in levels of BPA when the Bay Area families ate a diet that avoided contact with food packaging containing BPA, such as canned food and polycarbonate plastic.

In addition to BPA, participants were tested for several phthalates, plastic chemicals with known links to reproductive problems.

Monica and Alan Laurland said they were shocked to see how high their BPA levels were before they and their children were put on the special diet. They have changed how they buy, prepare and cook food.

The American Chemistry Council said this report is no cause for concern, exposures to these chemicals through food is minute and that the substances don't stay in the body.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.