A report issued by the Breast Cancer Fund and the Silent Spring Institute has revealed some of the dangers of the chemicals Bisphenol A and DEHP, found in a number of very common sources, including food packaging and food storage containers. BPA is a hormone disrupting chemical which has been shown to lead to some very serious conditions, especially in children.

In a study, twenty people were given nothing but fresh foods for three days. The results showed that all of the people had significant decreases in the amount of both BPA and DEHP in their urine at the end of those three days. A number of other chemicals, thought to have been derived from the plastic food containers also declined during that time period. BPA levels dropped by as much as 66% while the DEHP levels dropped 53-56%. All levels went back to their original levels almost immediately after the study ended.

The chemicals are used to due conflicting jobs. BPA is used to harden plastic but can also be found in a number of common locations including paper receipts from grocery or retail stores. It is often found in the lining of certain types of food containers. DEHP, on the other hand, is used to make plastic softer and more pliant. It is also used to create plastic wrap.

According to all studies, including those done by the Breast Cancer Fund as well as the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control , the most common source of exposure to either of these chemicals is through food packaging.

The CDC has estimated that as much as 90% of Americans have detectable levels of BPA in their bodies. The FDA as well as the National Toxicology Program share substantial concerns about the effects of BPA on organs like the brain and the prostrate gland of fetuses, infants and young children as well as ongoing behavior problems that can arise from continued exposure. In addition, BPA exposure has been linked to problems with infertility for both men and women, heart disease and certain cancers. There is no clear cut level for what is safe and what is not, one of the goals that current studies are working on.

The American Chemical Council has defended the use of BPA and phthalates like DEHP on the basis that it is only in recent years that there have been any problems. The Council also states that most if not all plastics sold in the country are within the currently established range for safety./

The CDC, the FDA and concerned groups all agree that it might be difficult to completely avoid all exposure to BPA but you can minimize the exposure by following simple guidelines such as eating out less often, storing foods only in glass or stainless steel and never microwaving in plastic. The number one suggestion by these agencies is to opt for fresh food with frozen foods the second best choice.