Alarming new survey findings released this week from Statistics Canada report that a staggering 91 percent of Canadians are thought to have detectable levels of bisphenol A in their bodies.
Bisphenol A, otherwise known as BPA, is an estrogen-mimicking chemical
that in low levels early in life can affect neural development. Some consumer groups claim it may also be linked to cancer, obesity, diabetes and heart disease.
Health Canada has formally declared BPA a hazardous product.
Two years ago, Canada was the first country in the world to propose declaring it a toxic substance, although it has yet to do so. Both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration have announced that they are conducting safety of the chemical.
BPA is found in everything from the lining of canned foods, to plastic bottles and is used as a coating on cash register receipts.
The Statistics Canada report is based on a two-year survey that measured levels of exposure to more than 80 chemicals and environmental contaminants among more than 5,400 Canadians between the ages of six and 79.
Researchers found a mean concentration of 1.16 micrograms of BPA per liter in the urine of Canadians tested. Teenagers had the highest concentrations of BPA, while children between 6 and 11 had higher concentrations then adults over 40.
Statistics Canada said the findings suggest there is "continual widespread exposure in the Canadian population" to BPA.
The Statistics Canada sampling is the largest such effort done to date in the world.
For the full report, click here.
Bisphenol A, otherwise known as BPA, is an estrogen-mimicking chemical
that in low levels early in life can affect neural development. Some consumer groups claim it may also be linked to cancer, obesity, diabetes and heart disease.
Health Canada has formally declared BPA a hazardous product.
Two years ago, Canada was the first country in the world to propose declaring it a toxic substance, although it has yet to do so. Both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration have announced that they are conducting safety of the chemical.
BPA is found in everything from the lining of canned foods, to plastic bottles and is used as a coating on cash register receipts.
The Statistics Canada report is based on a two-year survey that measured levels of exposure to more than 80 chemicals and environmental contaminants among more than 5,400 Canadians between the ages of six and 79.
Researchers found a mean concentration of 1.16 micrograms of BPA per liter in the urine of Canadians tested. Teenagers had the highest concentrations of BPA, while children between 6 and 11 had higher concentrations then adults over 40.
Statistics Canada said the findings suggest there is "continual widespread exposure in the Canadian population" to BPA.
The Statistics Canada sampling is the largest such effort done to date in the world.
For the full report, click here.
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