Move over, BPA: a call to action for eco-plastic manufacturers - and marketers

According to a recent study from the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA), higher levels or urinary BPA (Bisphenol-A) are linked to cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.  BPA, by volume one of the world's highest production chemicals, is a toxic compound used in plastic packaging for food and beverages. Although BPA exposure may also occur via drinking water, dental sealants, and dermal absorption, plastic packaging accounts for the majority of BPA use.

The JAMA study cites that global demand for BPA is growing 6-10% yearly, an astonishingly high rate considering the availability of non-toxic and effective alternatives.  In an ideal world, we'd move away from excessive plastic packaging altogether.  Packaging reduction isn't as much of an imperative yet in the US as it is in countries like Germany, where consumers can return packaging materials to the store after purchase.  Regardless, a recent surge in the development of bio-plastics has led to a number of high-quality BPA-free products on the market.  

Online resources such as zrecs.com and bispenolafree.org help consumers identify BPA in common household products and offer a slew of non-toxic alternatives.  Big plastics manufacturers, including the North American Metal Packaging Alliance (NAMPA), have thus far hushed many critics.  BPA defenders include the FDA, the FDA's European counterpart EFSA, and - unsurprisingly - the plastics industry.

While it is up to the consumers to choose BPA-free plastics over their toxic counterparts, eco-plastic manufacturers and marketers must make their products more prominent in the marketplace.  Mainstream marketing campaigns, increased production, and more shelf space will help give safer products a crucial edge - so long as consumers know what, where, and how to buy BPA-free.  

Related: Environmental Leader