Health Canada's tests found that the highest levels of BPA existed in energy drinks—drinks that are loaded with caffeine and are often used to boost people's energy. However, the tests also found BPA in many soft drinks, including root beers, diet colas, non-diet colas, ginger ales and sodas with citrus flavors. Health Canada has not said which brands of soft drink it tested, but did say that at least 84 percent of soft drinks sold in Canada were covered by the study. Of 72 drinks tested, 69 were found to contain BPA.Bisphenol A, a chemical that mimics estrogen, was detected in the soft drinks at a level of 500 times more than the level of estrogen in the average person. Although the chemical was detected at levels below regulatory limits, some recent studies have found that BPA is still harmful, even at relatively low levels.
According to an article in The Washington Post, over 130 studies in the past decade have linked BPA to health problems such as breast cancer, heart disease, liver abnormalities and obesity. Those studies also show that BPA can have a negative impact on human health even at low doses. A study conducted by the National Toxicology Program showed concern that BPA may affect the brain and behavioral development of very young children.
Some scientists and environmentalists argue that any exposure to BPA is too much. They point out that while the levels of BPA in an individual can of pop may be low, many people consume too many soft drinks—increasing the levels of BPA they are regularly exposed to. They also argue that soft drinks are consumed by children, who have a lower body weight than adults and may be more vulnerable to the effects of BPA.
Dr. Frederick vom Saal, an expert on BPA, says that animal experiments have shown harmful effects from BPA at levels up to 1,000 times lower than Health Canada's safety limits. Those harmful effects include breast and ovarian cancer cell growth. Bisphenol A has also been linked to heart disease and diabetes.
Vom Saal says that Health Canada is "simple-minded" for believing that there is relatively little danger in small exposure to BPA.
READ MORE BISPHENOL A LEGAL NEWS
Although the FDA has so far argued that BPA is safe, that stance was based on studies funded by the chemical industry, according to the Post article. Recently, a panel of independent science advisors warned the FDA that its position on BPA is scientifically flawed—a warning that has led the FDA to reconsider its position on the chemical.Bisphenol A is used in soft drink cans to prevent the drinks from contacting the metal. Health Canada's test is the first to show BPA residue in soft drinks. The soft drink industry has claimed that consumers are not exposed to BPA because no residue is found in the drinks—a claim that Health Canada's tests now refute.
Two of the drinks that were not found to contain BPA were tonic waters. Researchers believe that quinine in the tonic waters may have interfered with their ability to extract the BPA.
Prior to this testing, BPA had already been found in certain water bottles, baby bottles and canned foods.
