Obesogens

[plam]

The article below talks about Bisphenol A (BPA) and obesity.
Bisphenol A is contained in cash till receipts.
In shops, I always refuse to take the receipts
unless I know I might need it for return.

This bloody BPA is also related breast cancer
And yet they use it even in baby bottles!

Chemicals May Play Role in Rise in Obesity (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/11/AR2007031100918_2.html)

"Exposure to bisphenol A is continuous," said Frederick vom Saal, professor of biological sciences at the University of Missouri at Columbia. Bisphenol A is an ingredient in polycarbonate plastics used in many products, including refillable water containers and baby bottles, and in epoxy resins that line the inside of food cans and are used as dental sealants. In 2003, U.S. industry consumed about 2 billion pounds of bisphenol A.

Researchers have studied bisphenol A's effects on estrogen function for more than a decade. Vom Saal's research indicates that developmental exposure to low doses of bisphenol A activates genetic mechanisms that promote fat-cell activity. "These in-utero effects are lifetime effects, and they occur at phenomenally small levels" of exposure, vom Saal said.

Steven Hentges of the American Chemistry Council said his organization's review of the scientific literature found that a preponderance of the bisphenol A studies have shown no adverse effects, including no increased body weight. "Our conclusion is that there is no risk to human health," said Hentges.

But many scientists disagree, including vom Saal, who called the ACC's statements a "blatant lie."

[montmorency]

I've heard this about till receipts before.

Is it in the printed sections or is it in the paper?

i.e. does it help if you just hold the thing by the edges?

The people most at risk would be the checkout personel, who I suppose should wear protective gloves.

[plam]

It's in the paper.

There are companies selling BPA free paper. Not in the UK though.

[montmorency]

It's in the paper.

There are companies selling BPA free paper.

Thanks. So don't touch it at all is the thing.



Not in the UK though.

*sigh* - We are usually slow to catch on to this sort of thing.
It would probably shave 0.0001% off the supermarket's profits.

[domathy]

Right, I'm just going to shoplift from now on.

[_z3n_]

I love how some of the cashiers wear latex gloves so they don't have to touch the receipts.. I want to be like, "So why do you wear gloves to handle the receipt?" ..some reply about it having BPA and being harmful.. "So why the hell are you handing it to me? Fuck you."

[magritte]

What is the reason for it being there?
Does it stop the receipts sticking together or something?

Just go to the farmers markets you dont even get a receipt there, if you need to take it back, you just take it back :)

[lesleypumpshaft]

Most people who are overweight simply eat too much. This link between BPA and obesity may well be true but people need to diet at the shops and stop buying high calorie junk food. If they did that they wouldn't have the temptation of it being in the house.

[montmorency]

I love how some of the cashiers wear latex gloves so they don't have to touch the receipts.. I want to be like, "So why do you wear gloves to handle the receipt?" ..some reply about it having BPA and being harmful.. "So why the hell are you handing it to me? Fuck you."


Where do they actually do that? (what country are you in?).

They don't do it round my way.


BTW, some people are allergic to latex. Solve one problem - hit another one.

[_z3n_]

Where do they actually do that? (what country are you in?).

They don't do it round my way.


BTW, some people are allergic to latex. Solve one problem - hit another one.

I'm in the US. I don't see it very often but there are a few stores that do, and it's because of the BPA.

[302bluefog]

Most people who are overweight simply eat too much. This link between BPA and obesity may well be true but people need to diet at the shops and stop buying high calorie junk food. If they did that they wouldn't have the temptation of it being in the house.

I agree its really getting crazy...

People are lazy or they just don't care anymore, idk...

[montmorency]

I'm in the US. I don't see it very often but there are a few stores that do, and it's because of the BPA.

Thanks. Maybe we will catch on sooner or later. Probably later.

[dawkinz]

Fat people should stop eating till receipts

[vibratingpickle]

Most people who are overweight simply eat too much. This link between BPA and obesity may well be true but people need to diet at the shops and stop buying high calorie junk food. If they did that they wouldn't have the temptation of it being in the house.

This is so funny.

The skinny intelligent folks in Whole Foods always save their receipts.

The fat slobs at Walmart never keep them unless they buy a bigscreen tv.

I think tpb want to see just how dumbed down everyone is when they put something like this out.

How many of you are eating your receipts?

[plam]

The BPA gets absorbed through the skin
You don't need to eat the receipt to get it in

[ozpixie]

The BPA gets absorbed through the skin
You don't need to eat the receipt to get it in

This is a fact of life and a source of poisoning that we have largely ignored and underestimated. I got the shock of my life when I was prescribed some medication that came on a patch. I was stunned to feel the effects within 10 minutes of putting it on.

For decades we use hand lotions, all kinds of shampoo, body wash, dishwashing and laundry chemical, flyspray and deodorisers and they all go in via the skin. I am trying not to be paranoid about it but I am so aware these days of just how much and how quickly the skin draws these things in.

Seriously I think we have as much to worry about this as we do with certain bacteria and viral pathogens.

[plam]

This is a fact of life and a source of poisoning that we have largely ignored and underestimated. I got the shock of my life when I was prescribed some medication that came on a patch. I was stunned to feel the effects within 10 minutes of putting it on.

For decades we use hand lotions, all kinds of shampoo, body wash, dishwashing and laundry chemical, flyspray and deodorisers and they all go in via the skin. I am trying not to be paranoid about it but I am so aware these days of just how much and how quickly the skin draws these things in.

Seriously I think we have as much to worry about this as we do with certain bacteria and viral pathogens.

Your not paranoid, the rule is
don't put anything you won't eat on your skin

[plam]

75% Of Americans To Be Obese By 2020 (http://www.zerohedge.com/news/no-country-thin-men-75-americans-be-obese-2020)

According to a just released analysis by BNY ConvergEx' Nicholas Colas, things are about to get much worse, because as the OECD predicts, by 2020 75% of US the population will be obese. What this implies for the tens of trillions in underfunded healthcare "benefits" in the future is all too clear.

[vibratingpickle]

■If you are unsure, check whether paper is thermally treated by rubbing it with a coin. Thermal paper discolors with the friction; conventional paper does not.
■Recently, the largest manufacturer of thermal paper has made it easier to see when the paper is BPA-free by adding small red fibers in the paper.


There have been particular studies done on toilet paper made from recycled paper due to an examination of the BPA that was being found in wastewater streams.

Good thing I have a fully functional immune system that does what it is supposed to.

[plam]

I just checked few receipts with a coin
they did discolour with friction.

Good tip, thanks!

[dawkinz]

Your not paranoid, the rule is
don't put anything you won't eat on your skin

Masturbation is out of the question then

[_z3n_]

Masturbation is out of the question then

hmm.. olive oil?

[montmorency]

I was going to say it also rules out using condoms, but come to think, it also rules out clothes.

I suppose there had to be a reason for nudism.

[freedomfox59]

It could be a link to why I have a layer of baby fat on my stomach ever since I've taken up drinking bottled water :D Or, probably more likely, I've exercised less.

But comparing bottled water, and really my only other economical alternative, tap water, I'll take the lesser of two evils.

[lesleypumpshaft]

This is so funny.

The skinny intelligent folks in Whole Foods always save their receipts.

The fat slobs at Walmart never keep them unless they buy a bigscreen tv.

I think tpb want to see just how dumbed down everyone is when they put something like this out.

How many of you are eating your receipts?

I'm trying to cut down :o

The skinny intelligent whole foods people probably weave fair trade organic yoghurt with their receipts :D

[plam]

Masturbation is out of the question then

If it's not palatable it does not mean it's not edible
it's nutrients dense substance

[psilocybin]

You guys are screwed:

1. Dental Sealants – If you want to protect those pearly whites with some dental bonding or sealants, beware the specter of BPA. A study found that this chemical can leach into saliva following certain dental procedures. But don’t panic – BPA-free alternatives are available; just ask your dentist.

2. Receipts – You know how most modern receipts have a really smooth texture? That slick coating usually contains (you guessed it) BPA. And it’s no trivial nanogram quantity – we’re talking sizeable amounts that can pass into your skin or consumed when you eat. Studies on exactly how much ends up in the body are forthcoming, but at least this one is easy to avoid: just say no to receipts. You’ll save paper and prevent waste, too.

3. Baby Bottles – Babies are particularly susceptible to harmful effects from BPA, so many parents find the fact that it’s present in some bottles worrisome to say the least. Luckily, however, BPA-free bottles are now widely available and the top six baby bottle makers in the U.S. have agreed to stop using the chemical.

4. Children’s Toys – Nom nom nom! Gotta love all that BPA (not to mention lead and other toxins) that children end up chomping on when they’re innocently playing with their toys. But thanks to all those protective parents out there, the internet is rife with recommendations for BPA-free brands. Check out the Consumer Reports Toy Buying Guide for safe options.

5. Canned Food Liners – Soups, juices, beans and tomatoes. All of these goods and more are often tainted with BPA when canned, all because of a protective plastic lining. The Environmental Working Group performed tests on a wide range of goods and found the highest concentrations in infant formula, chicken soup and ravioli. But not all brands use BPA – get a list at Treehugger.

6. Canning Jar Lids – Alas, even when you preserve your own foods, BPA is there to rain on your parade. Canning jar lids have a lining similar to that in tin cans, but there’s usually minimal contact with food. If you want to be extra-careful, seek out glass-lidded canning jars like those made by Weck.

7. Plastic food containers – They may be convenient, making it easy to store, transport and reheat food, but plastic food containers are one of the biggest sources of BPA. The easiest and most important step you can take is to stop microwaving food in plastic containers. BPA-free stainless steel and glass options are readily available and last longer anyway.

8. Medical Devices – Could plastic components be leaching BPA into patients’ bodies during heart bypass surgeries and hemodialysis? The FDA haslaunched a pair of studies to find out. It’s a concern due to the length of time that patients can be exposed to the chemical, but it only affects a small portion of the population so chances are, you don’t have to worry about this one.

9. Pizza Boxes – If you haven’t groaned in frustration already, do it now and get it out of your system. Yes, even certain recycled pizza boxes are said to contain BPA. Since pizza boxes can’t usually be recycled anyway, why not make this easy on yourselves and either make pizza at home or eat in instead of getting delivery. Score an easy and extremely delicious New York-style pizza crust recipe (my personal favorite) from Recipezaar.com.

10. Toilet Paper – Remember those pesky receipts? It turns out, they’re often recycled into toilet paper, BPA and all. But this problem is bigger than the amount that gets transferred to your private bits in the bathroom. Once toilet paper is flushed and processed at waste plants, much of that BPA ends up in surface water and groundwater. Does this mean we should ditch recycled toilet paper and use that virgin tree stuff instead? Not necessarily, but it is a tough call.

11. Water Coolers – The large hard plastic bottles used in water coolers are yet another source of BPA. A better (and less wasteful) option is to simply outfit your kitchen faucet with a filter from Brita or PUR, which are BPA-free.

12. Soda Cans – If you’re one of those people with a Diet Coke can permanently glued to your hand, listen up. Bizarre chemical ingredients and artificial sweeteners aren’t the only enemy in that caustic stuff – BPA is found in almost all brands of canned soft drinks. Cut back on your soda intake, and you’ll be better off in more ways than one.

13. Beer and Wine – While there’s no good way to avoid the BPA that is sometimes found in the epoxy lining of wine vats short of giving up wine altogether (crazy talk!), you can skip the BPA-flavored beer by simply choosing bottles over cans. BPA is a bigger risk in canned beer than in soda, because it’s highly soluble in alcohol.

14. Eyewear – If you wear sunglasses or eyeglasses with plastic lenses, you’re probably in constant contact with BPA all day long. It’s tough to tell how much of an impact this could have on health, but if you want to be safe, metal frames are a good bet.

15. CDs and DVDs – It’s probably safe to say that you don’t often lick your CDs or DVDs, and we handle them so briefly, the BPA contained within these items isn’t a threat to most people.

16. Blenders and Food Processors – Since these items are in direct contact with our food, it’s good to know which brands contain BPA and which don’t. Consumer research website Z Recommends has a handy guide, with the Beaba Babycook, the Vita-Mix 5200 blender and Hamilton Beach’s Big Mouth food processors all coming out winners in the “safe” category.

17. Car Parts – These days, car interiors are almost entirely made from hard plastics, so it’s not too surprising to learn that BPA lurks in the steering wheel, gear shift, dashboard and more. Good luck finding a plastic-free vehicle – but hey, it’s another good excuse to walk more often.

[unicorny]

You guys are screwed:

1. Dental Sealants – If you want to protect those pearly whites with some dental bonding or sealants, beware the specter of BPA. A study found that this chemical can leach into saliva following certain dental procedures. But don’t panic – BPA-free alternatives are available; just ask your dentist.

2. Receipts – You know how most modern receipts have a really smooth texture? That slick coating usually contains (you guessed it) BPA. And it’s no trivial nanogram quantity – we’re talking sizeable amounts that can pass into your skin or consumed when you eat. Studies on exactly how much ends up in the body are forthcoming, but at least this one is easy to avoid: just say no to receipts. You’ll save paper and prevent waste, too.

3. Baby Bottles – Babies are particularly susceptible to harmful effects from BPA, so many parents find the fact that it’s present in some bottles worrisome to say the least. Luckily, however, BPA-free bottles are now widely available and the top six baby bottle makers in the U.S. have agreed to stop using the chemical.

4. Children’s Toys – Nom nom nom! Gotta love all that BPA (not to mention lead and other toxins) that children end up chomping on when they’re innocently playing with their toys. But thanks to all those protective parents out there, the internet is rife with recommendations for BPA-free brands. Check out the Consumer Reports Toy Buying Guide for safe options.

5. Canned Food Liners – Soups, juices, beans and tomatoes. All of these goods and more are often tainted with BPA when canned, all because of a protective plastic lining. The Environmental Working Group performed tests on a wide range of goods and found the highest concentrations in infant formula, chicken soup and ravioli. But not all brands use BPA – get a list at Treehugger.

6. Canning Jar Lids – Alas, even when you preserve your own foods, BPA is there to rain on your parade. Canning jar lids have a lining similar to that in tin cans, but there’s usually minimal contact with food. If you want to be extra-careful, seek out glass-lidded canning jars like those made by Weck.

7. Plastic food containers – They may be convenient, making it easy to store, transport and reheat food, but plastic food containers are one of the biggest sources of BPA. The easiest and most important step you can take is to stop microwaving food in plastic containers. BPA-free stainless steel and glass options are readily available and last longer anyway.

8. Medical Devices – Could plastic components be leaching BPA into patients’ bodies during heart bypass surgeries and hemodialysis? The FDA haslaunched a pair of studies to find out. It’s a concern due to the length of time that patients can be exposed to the chemical, but it only affects a small portion of the population so chances are, you don’t have to worry about this one.

9. Pizza Boxes – If you haven’t groaned in frustration already, do it now and get it out of your system. Yes, even certain recycled pizza boxes are said to contain BPA. Since pizza boxes can’t usually be recycled anyway, why not make this easy on yourselves and either make pizza at home or eat in instead of getting delivery. Score an easy and extremely delicious New York-style pizza crust recipe (my personal favorite) from Recipezaar.com.

10. Toilet Paper – Remember those pesky receipts? It turns out, they’re often recycled into toilet paper, BPA and all. But this problem is bigger than the amount that gets transferred to your private bits in the bathroom. Once toilet paper is flushed and processed at waste plants, much of that BPA ends up in surface water and groundwater. Does this mean we should ditch recycled toilet paper and use that virgin tree stuff instead? Not necessarily, but it is a tough call.

11. Water Coolers – The large hard plastic bottles used in water coolers are yet another source of BPA. A better (and less wasteful) option is to simply outfit your kitchen faucet with a filter from Brita or PUR, which are BPA-free.

12. Soda Cans – If you’re one of those people with a Diet Coke can permanently glued to your hand, listen up. Bizarre chemical ingredients and artificial sweeteners aren’t the only enemy in that caustic stuff – BPA is found in almost all brands of canned soft drinks. Cut back on your soda intake, and you’ll be better off in more ways than one.

13. Beer and Wine – While there’s no good way to avoid the BPA that is sometimes found in the epoxy lining of wine vats short of giving up wine altogether (crazy talk!), you can skip the BPA-flavored beer by simply choosing bottles over cans. BPA is a bigger risk in canned beer than in soda, because it’s highly soluble in alcohol.

14. Eyewear – If you wear sunglasses or eyeglasses with plastic lenses, you’re probably in constant contact with BPA all day long. It’s tough to tell how much of an impact this could have on health, but if you want to be safe, metal frames are a good bet.

15. CDs and DVDs – It’s probably safe to say that you don’t often lick your CDs or DVDs, and we handle them so briefly, the BPA contained within these items isn’t a threat to most people.

16. Blenders and Food Processors – Since these items are in direct contact with our food, it’s good to know which brands contain BPA and which don’t. Consumer research website Z Recommends has a handy guide, with the Beaba Babycook, the Vita-Mix 5200 blender and Hamilton Beach’s Big Mouth food processors all coming out winners in the “safe” category.

17. Car Parts – These days, car interiors are almost entirely made from hard plastics, so it’s not too surprising to learn that BPA lurks in the steering wheel, gear shift, dashboard and more. Good luck finding a plastic-free vehicle – but hey, it’s another good excuse to walk more often.

Thanks for the thorough run down you cann't avoid it all but at least if you know where it is you can minimise it within reason.

[psilocybin]

Thanks for the thorough run down you cann't avoid it all but at least if you know where it is you can minimise it within reason.

Time to hit up ebay for a wooden steering wheel cover :D
I use recycled toilet paper... may change to virgin trees... shitty situation... really :D

I don't drink out of cans and hardly ever eat canned foods...

DO they have wooden keyboards and mice?

What about toilet seats? Mine's plastic...

But then again I have 2 feelings with BPA... :eek: :D

We are doomed I tell ya... plastic life :)

[unicorny]

haha I've always fancied a nice cedar laptop :D

[psilocybin]

haha I've always fancied a nice cedar laptop :D

My mate has a bamboo one :D

[unicorny]

stylish, sustainable and safe from the onslaught of hormone disruptors

[plam]

good info, psilocybin, thanks

1. Dental Sealants - none

2. Receipts – avoid them

3. Baby Bottles - my kids are breastfed

4. Children’s Toys – my kids toys are mostly wooden

5. Canned Food Liners – avoid them

6. Canning Jar Lids – we'll start avoiding those too

7. Plastic food containers – I use jars

8. Medical Devices – avoid hospitals

9. Pizza Boxes – don't eat pizza

10. Toilet Paper – I wash my bum with watter

11. Water Coolers – never used those

12. Soda Cans – avoid them

13. Beer and Wine – I drink wine from small, natural producers

14. Eyewear – never wear sunglasses. People look like mafiosos.

15. CDs and DVDs – haven't use them for ages

16. Blenders and Food Processors – I rarely use them but my wife does a lot. She'll be warned ... or beaten up if she won't listen :D

17. Car Parts – on this one I'm screwed :D

[unicorny]

17. Car Parts – on this one I'm screwed :D

a nice pair of hemp driving gloves and you'll be fine :D