A new study that links levels of a plasticizer, bisphenol A, to increased risk of heart disease and diabetes is making the rounds. The Food and Drug Administration, who doesn't always exactly follow the precautionary principle, has recently said that yes, bisphenol A is found in a number of food items that come in contact with polycarbonate containers (hard plastic) and tin cans, many of which are lined with a layer of plastic. People eat, or drink, from these containers, and they end up with bisphenol A in their body. The FDA suggests that bishphenol A levels aren't high enough to warrant a human health concern, although more study is recommended.
More than 5 years ago, the Body Burden project, recently renamed the Human Toxome Project, illustrated that bisphenol A was just one of over 100 chemicals typically found in the human body. Plastics are ubiquitous in the environment, so coming in contact with bisphenol A can happen outside of consuming food packed in containers which may leach chemicals into the food. Follow the link below to find out other chemicals that may also be a human health concern.That said, the issue here, in my humble opinion is more likely to be that folks who eat many things in plastic, don't eat healthy. Thus the increased incidence of heart disease and diabetes. After the genetic link, which is strong in both of diseases, it's diet. As we said a few days ago, "Don't eat food in styrofoam - or plastic."
elsewhere:
humane toxone project