High levels of BPA, Other Chemicals Found in Organic Foods --- UW Study

Eating organic foods and avoiding plastic containers may not be enough to protect consumers from harmful chemicals in the environment after all, say researchers at the University of Washington in Seattle.

According to a study published in the Nature Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology Feb 27, people are apparently exposed to cancer-causing chemicals --- synthetic, endocrine-disrupting chemicals phthalates and bisphenol A, more commonly known as BPA --- through the food they eat, even if they only consume organics and prepare, cook, and store foods in non-plastic containers.  It was found children could be the most vulnerable to the toxins.

Previous research has linked prenatal exposure to phthalates to abnormalities in the male reproductive system. Scientists have also discovered a apparent connection between fetal exposure to BPA and hyperactivity, anxiety, and depression in girls.

The UW researchers compared the chemical exposures of 10 families, half of whom were given written instructions on how to reduce phthalate and BPA exposure. The other families received a catered diet for five day of local, fresh, organic food that was not prepared, cooked or stored in plastic containers.

When the researchers tested the participants' urinary concentrations for chemical contamination, they found that, instead of significantly lower traces of the chemical, as they anticipated, the catered families showed much higher concentrations of phthalates and BPA than the group that only received advice on how to avoid reduce chemical contaminants in their food.

The urine sample taken from the catered group showed concentrations of phthalates 100 times higher than the levels found in the majority of the general population.

The comparison comes from a study conducted by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey --- a program of studies managed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and designed to assess the health and nutritional status of adults and children in the United States.

Study researchers estimate the average child aged three to six years old has been exposed to 183 milligrams per kilogram of their body weight per day. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's recommended limit is 20 mg/kg/day.

"It's difficult to control your exposure to these chemicals, even when you try," said Dr. Sheela Sathyanarayana, who participated in the study. "We have very little control over what's in our food, including contaminants. Families can focus on buying fresh fruits and vegetables, foods that are not canned and are low in fat."

But, added Sathyanarayana, "it may take new federal regulations to reduce exposures to these chemicals."