Things I've had to look up for class: Link between Plastics and Estrogen

(vestaldesign.com)

Wired: "Reproductive Disorders Probably Caused by Common Plastic Ingredient, Scientists Say"

Wired: "Male Births Drop Mysteriously in US and Japan"

"The synthetic chemical called bisphenol-A is used to make dental sealants, sturdy microwavable plastics, linings for metal food-and-beverage containers, baby bottles, and numerous other products. When consumed, the chemical can mimic the effects of estrogen. Previous tests had found that bisphenol-A can leach into food and water and that it's widely prevalent in human blood." (Sciencenews.org: "Diabetes from a Plastic? Estrogen mimic provokes insulin resistance")

Frederick vom Saal (Mizzou researcher in this area) - "Researcher Provides Evidence Against Common Household Plastics"

PBS Frontline "Fooling Around with Nature" interview with Frederick vom Saal.

Wikipedia "Plastics": "Research in Environmental Health Perspectives finds that BPA - bisphenol-A (leached from the lining of tin cans, dental sealants and polycarbonate bottles) can increase body weight of lab animals' offspring, as well as impact hormone levels. A more recent animal study suggests that even low-level exposure to BPA results in insulin resistance, which can lead to inflammation and heart disease."

Um - so all major recent health issues are caused by plastic containers? Wonderful.

WebMD "Danger in Plastic Baby Bottles?: Common Plastics Chemical Linked to Genetic Damage" "Other animal studies have linked BPA to low sperm count, hyperactivity, early puberty, obesity, small testes size, and enlarged prostates. But Hunt's is the first study to suggest that BPA can affect future generations."

thegreenguide.com, "The Bisphenol-A Debate: A Suspect Chemical in Plastic Bottles and Cans": "Ninety-five percent of Americans were found to have the chemical in their urine in a 2004 biomonitoring study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)."

Which means that it's going into our water systems and into streams and rivers. Oh no.