BPA may raise risk of asthma in children

Current research has proven that BPA may raise the risk of asthma in children. The research also showed that a pregnant women exposed to BPA may give birth to a child that develops asthma.

BPA, also known as Bisphenol A, is a chemical used as the building block for polycarbonate plastic. It is used in baby bottles, water bottles, a coating for food containers, and white dental sealants. Some types of children’s toys have proved to contain a BPA additive also.

At the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston experiments were done to test the effects of BPA on the offspring of pregnant women. This study involved exposing pregnant mice to BPA through drinking water. BPA was given a week before pregnancy and continued through the lactation periods. The mice that were not given BPA showed no signs of asthma, where as those who had, showed an increased possibility of developing it.

Within the last 40 years asthma rates have increased, which coincides with the time that mass production of BPA started. Some states, including Maryland, Minnesota, and Connecticut, have implemented laws, banning the use of BPA in containers to be used by children under the age of four.