European Union, Denmark banned baby bottles containing the chemical may be harmful

The European Union on the manufacture, import and plastic baby bottles containing the potentially harmful industrial chemicals banned the sale this week to take effect.

The chemical is bisphenol A (BPA), is used to make polycarbonate plastic used to make bottles, including many everyday products.

By fear, bisphenol A can inhibit brain development under the impetus of Denmark has banned baby bottles, milk cups and food packaging containing Bisphenol A baby in the three early in the March 2010 sale.

Pulled from store shelves in Europe's less-than-expected products to create a sensation with the government, manufacturers and consumers are willing to be cautious.

"We have test results that show there is a risk that bisphenol A may affect the learning ability of male rats, said:" Mary Louise Flake Denis Erjia De, the Division is responsible for the quality of food in the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration .

"But we do not have any evidence that bisphenol A affect humans. Therefore, the ban is the expression to the precautionary principle," she told reporters.

Research shows that food containers, such as baby bottles, bisphenol A compounds, can be released into the food itself, if the container is heated to high temperatures.

It is said that the lives of infants in the first six months of the most vulnerable intake of bisphenol A, because they can not remove the substances from your body.

"As much about the concerns of these hormones, especially in the chemicals-related children and pregnant women, it is important to take preventive measures," said Dr Jorgen Schlundt, the National Food Research Institute, Deputy Director in Technical University of Denmark.

"This is why it is important to ban bisphenol A in some real use," he told reporters in an interview.

Tests to determine the impact of BPA, mostly in laboratory mice, it seems that the study who suffered when exposed to a chemical disability. Implementation of the ban, researchers and government worried that this may be the same impact on humans.

However, for more than three years old children and adults of products may also contain bisphenol A, even in Denmark. The European Union has banned from the age of three infant feeding bottles only bisphenol A.

The impact of industry

Denmark does not constitute a ban on plastic industries are major economic threats.

"It does not have any effect, because in Denmark the [project] is not produced in Denmark. They are usually from other parts of the import manufacturers," said Peter line SKOV, on Plastindustrien, the country's plastics industry Association.

According to De Nier Gardner, on the economic impact was muted because the manufacturer "has been able to find alternatives to bisphenol A. These products on the shelf without bisphenol A, but they come back."

However, SKOV that the ban has tarnished the image of the plastic industry, as it is doubtful the other plastic products, especially the safety of children's toys.

But he added that the industry to accept, because it is -. "Part of the decision by the authorities and parts of the consumer"

Consumer Satisfaction

In fact, consumer acceptance of the ban has helped to ensure that business as usual.

"At first, customers were a bit worried about the ban of curiosity, but when they heard that because of bisphenol A, they fully accepted, and said:" Klaus Gervig, Denmark, baby products retailer, a large store manager.

He said the ban has led to higher product prices, but did not affect sales.

"Customers have been willing to pay more, when they heard that this is why more and more expensive," he said.

According to Schlundt, prediction of bisphenol A on human health are still being studied, the actual effect may be only after many years. But the Danish consumers are willing to security.

"This is a potential risk until it is a good assessment of the ban, said:" Every Wincentz pythons, 33, who has a nine-month-old daughter.

"Overall, I think this is a better limit, especially for children, the use of potentially harmful chemicals," his wife, Mai 31, added.

The couple avoid buying plastics and cosmetics containing hormonal imbalance caused by the human body, or other adverse health effects of chemical substances suspected, they said.

Like Julie Lykkegaard, 26, had not heard others bisphenol A or a ban, but he knew her 5-month-old son's bottle in the packaging, that product is free of bisphenol A to.

In the study, BPA can have adverse long-term development of children's health, she would like to know why the ban has not yet extended to other products.

"If I know it's dangerous for children under three years old, why I would buy its products, including the elderly, even if their children?" She asked.

Danish ovarian cancer SKOV that the ban was extended to include other products may be contrary to EU legislation. He also believes that it is hard to find "appropriate alternatives" to polycarbonate plastic beverage bottles, as some products.

There is an implicit agreement that the ban is tough, and now is enough.

"This issue has been stopped, to ensure that our exposure, where it is most important achievements has been banned," Schlundt said, referring to the existing restrictions on baby related products. "In this sense, this is a sensible way forward, it might be sufficient."

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