Should Pregnant Women Be Concerned with BPA Exposure?

Summary: A recent study by Harvard found a connection between BPA exposure during pregnancy and behavioral problems in girls. BPA, its chemical name is Bisphenol A, is used to make polycarbonate plastics found in toys, food and drink containers, and other consumer goods. The resins are used to coat the insides of food cans, bottle tops, water supply lines and more. Some paper products like receipts from cash registers also have BPA. Researchers took samples from 244 pregnant women living in Cincinnati twice during their pregnancies, once right after giving birth, and measured the BPA concentration. The scientists measured BPA levels in children each year and when they were three parents filled out a survey of the kids' anxiety, depression, aggression, hyperactivity, behavioral problems, and trouble controlling emotions. Almost all of the women and children had traces of BPA in their sample, but for every tenfold increase in the concentration during pregnancy, daughters had much higher scores on tests of anxiety and depression and had worse behavioral and emotional control. Sons were not affected, just daughters. The kids' own exposure did not seem to affect their behavior either.

Critique: Alcohol and smoking have shown to cause birth defects, as well as other chemicals. BPA may be another thing that pregnant women need to avoid. I think that this is a really interesting study and I would like to see the researchers follow these children to see how they are as adults.

Impact: This has a large impact. This could affect these children's happiness and also the happiness of their parents. This could potentially affect these children for the rest of their lives. Hopefully the researchers will continue to watch them.

Reference: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/10/24/bpa-exposure-should-pregnant-women-be-concerned/