- What specific product we use everyday can have adverse health effects on humans, animals, or the environment?
- Plastic bottles are one major product that affects the health safety of almost every human today. Babies are affected the most, since the baby food bottles are mostly plastic.
- What chemicals are in the products?
- There is a chemical called Bisphenol-A (BPA) that is found in almost every plastic product.
- Why are such chemicals in them in the first place? Are they necessary?
- BPA is not necessarily needed to create the plastic bottles. In fact, until recently, many scientists along with the government and the industries have believed that the BPA concentrations in plastic bottles are not high enough to harm people. But, people with weaker bodies (infants or elderly) may be susceptible to the harms of BPA.
- What are some health effects?
- Although the health effects may vary among the consumers, studies have discovered that BPA is known to commonly disrupt the hormonal system in the human body. BPA may mimic estrogen (a female sex hormone). In extreme cases, BPA may affect the sexual make-up of certain male organisms (this has happened to exposed animals).
- How much industrial or governmental regulation exists to ensure consumer safety? Is the US Government taking any action?
- The FDA and the industries have been taking some steps to ensure consumer safety, but because the FDA had previously deemed BPA concentrations in bottles as “safe,” strict regulation does not exist. After all, the plastic bottle companies have existed without too many problems. Recently with the rise of new studies have lead to heightened awareness of the BPA dangers.
- What kind of organizations exists to promote plastic product safety?
- Thankfully, the new research studies, there are many organizations that promote the awareness of BPA dangers and the use of non-BPA products. There are many that I do not know. One may be, Healthy Baby Healthy Child, which promote safety in babies.
- What kind of improvements do you hope to see?
- Both heightened awareness and detailed analysis and research is a must! There are still much more to learn from the dangers of BPA in plastic. Therefore, it may be good to enforce strict regulation and to promote non-BPA products as long as studies reveal that BPA is not safe.
Interview Reflection #1:
Prepared by Yuzo Ishikawa
To gain a better understanding of the health and even environmental dangers that would result from the lack of regulation in the use of certain chemicals in many of the everyday products Americans use, we interviewed a high school chemistry teacher, who would have expertise knowledge about chemical dangers. We interviewed Mr. Patterson in his classroom in Junipero Serra High School. He greeted us with enthusiasm.
From this interview, we learned many things, especially about the dangers concerning the use of plastic products. Although the many people, including the Food and Drug Administration believe that plastic products are safe, recently chemists are calling to reevaluate the real safety of plastics. In fact, the chemical that used in plastics, Bisphenol-A (BPA), has a dangerous side to the many convenient uses. In fact, when consumed in the human body, Bisphenol-A is mimics Estrogen, a female sex hormone. He suggested that in extreme cases, “it is possible to change someone’s sex after massive consumption” of the chemical. Other effects may include increased chances of prostate cancer. Mr. Patterson argued that despite the government’s safety ruling that the amount of BPA used in plastics are insignificant in causing health issues, infants as well as the elderly become vulnerable to the BPA effects – not to mention the effects on the environment as humans continue to carelessly litter the planet various bottles and other plastic products.
As regards to government regulation, he believes that there is regulation – otherwise many bottles and Tupperware would not be distributed for a prolonged period. However, there are many aspects of such chemical politicians and scientists still do not now. Lack of knowledge of the “real” dangers of BPA and other chemicals is also a factor in the lack of detailed “regulation,” which means that a detailed analysis and research is “a must!”
From this interview, I learned many surprising things. I did not expect to learn that there was a dangerous chemical in the plastic products I use. In fact, discussing the BPA hazards has influenced me to be more cautious of using plastic bottles to drink water and using other plastic products. This interview was helpful in gathering more information about the use of toxic chemicals in the plastic products we use almost everyday.
Interview Reflection #2:
Prepared by Alexander Mayorkis
We interviewed a high school chemistry teacher in order to gain knowledge and understanding of what certain chemicals in everyday items can be harmful to the environment and to humans. We focused on the effects of Bisphenol-A (BPA) and what respomces the government is taking to keep Americans safe. Mr. Patterson received us in his classroom at Junipero Serra High School
We learned many useful things from the interview with Mr. Patterson, especially since he possessed knowledge of our topic and had a specific example to address in great detail. Recent research has found that the amounts of BPA in plastics can be more harmful than the FDA believes. Infants are especially at harm because BPA can mimic estrogen, a female sex hormone, in the body and wreak havoc on the developing reproductive system of male infants. The effects can lead to infertility. Mr. Patterson incorporated how the dumping of plastic bottles can result in leaching of BPA into the environment and might be responsible for the decrease in the salmon population, due to increasing rates of infertility and even possible sex-changes from extreme exposure. Another discussed effect was an increased chance of prostate cancer in humans. Mr. Patterson pointed out that there is government regulation of BPA, but uncertainty in the results and true effects of BPA lead to what might be inadequate regulation. He believes that further research and analysis must be done to alleviate the problems in the world.
I learned in greater detail what is really going on with the whole BPA issue. I was surprised to learn how much more widespread the topic was that I had previously believed and how far-reaching and expansive the effects can be. I learned about how every action can have a devastating effect, like how throwing a plastic bottle out the window may ultimately lead to infertility in one of my favorite fillings in sushi. I also learned about who is really in the greatest danger and that what might affect one human, does not necessarily affect another. Gender and age can be important factors in what should be personally regulated.
Mr. Patterson seemed very knowledgeable in the issue and could support his information with research and experimental results. He seemed confident in what he said and how he said it. Outside information and his experience in chemistry must have lead to the quality of interview that was conducted and the effectiveness of his answers.
