BPA Causes Low Sperm Count

In case I haven't mentioned it before, I really wish BPA would get banned. This story makes me feel that way even more. I am going to be more vigilant about dumping out my frozen dinners onto a glass plate before heating them. Heating plastic makes the BPA soak into food even more-according to a researchers at Mizzou I talked to a couple years ago.

FROM NBC: Accelerated puberty, decreased testosterone, low birth weight -- all health problems that have been linked to the commonly-used chemical BPA. Now a new study adds low sperm count to the list. The chemical BPA is everywhere -- from plastic bottles, to canned food -- even paper receipts. Animal studies suggest BPA may negatively affect the brain, behavior, and prostate gland of fetuses, infants and children -- but now a new *human* study adds healthy men to the list.

Kathy Gerwig: VP and Environmental Stewardship Officer at Kaiser Permanente "Where there is a detectable level of BPA in urine, we found that men were 2-4 times more likely to have a reduced sperm count and reduced sperm vitality." Researchers at Kaiser Permanente studied over 200 Chinese factory workers who were exposed to high levels of BPA -- as well as men not exposed to the chemical at work. While the risk was higher among those who worked in the factory, even men with low exposure -- which would be similar to levels of men in the U.S. -- were affected.

Kathy Gerwig: VP and Environmental Stewardship Officer at Kaiser Permanente "It provides clear evidence that BPA interferes with the human male reproductive system." A prepared statement from the American Chemistry Council points out the changes in sperm may not affect fertility, and that several studies have shown low doses of BPA are not a risk to human health. Officials at the Food and Drug Administration have a different view -- they say BPA causes some reason for concern.

They are currently looking through all the latest research -- and now have a new human study to add to the mix. Experts say using BPA free products, drinking out of glass bottles and eating fresh fruits and vegetables -- rather than canned -- should lower exposure to the chemical. The study did not look at how BPA in urine affected fertility levels.

-NewsAnchorMom Jen

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