A study conducted by researchers at the Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health suggests a possible connection between BPA detected in urine samples of children and later problems with breathing. BPA stands for bisphenol A, and it is an industrial chemical that has been used to make certain plastics and resins since the 1960s. It can be found in everyday items such as water bottles, cups, toys, food cans, cash register receipts, and even some dental sealants.The study consisted of a group of 568 mothers and their children having urine samples taken—the mothers during the third trimester of pregnancy and the children at different ages after they were born. The results showed that a child’s odds of having asthma were increased if BPA was detected in their urine samples at ages 3, 5, and 7. BPA detected in three year olds and seven year olds would also increase the probability of having later problems with wheezing.
Researchers still cannot explain how BPA increases the risk of the lung condition, since there is no current evidence indicating it alters the immune system in a way resembling asthma. We must keep in mind that there is plenty of asthma speculation around. Even just a few weeks ago, there was a study that suggested that the growing number of cesarean-section births may be partly to blame.NOS Themes: science is based on evidence: urine tests were performed, giving conclusions from the evidence
role of skepticism: people can't automatically believe each new speculation for blaming asthma
science is subject to debate and tentative: once again, new evidence for links to diseases are not certain
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=new-study-links-bpa-and-childhood-asthma&page=2
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bpa/AN01955
http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2013/03/01/study-finds-link-between-bpa-and-asthma/?hpt=hp_bn13
http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/news/2013/asthma-and-bpa
This was an interesting post to read. I've heard of different chemicals and everyday things causing disease in children or causing birth defects but I never knew about this. When you buy a water bottle now, they usually say BPA free but I didn't know what that meant. It is sad how so many diseases have been thought to be caused by chemicals that humans are producing.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the relationship between childhood asthma and BPA could be linked to the fact that it effects the endocrine system? An article in the National Geographic said that BPA is an endocrine- disrupting compound. Perhaps the EDC could prevent proper development of the lungs and immune system, causing asthma attacks...
ReplyDeleteMore from the article: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/geopedia/Bisphenol_A
It seems like BPA is being linked to everything. I think that it is very sad to see that something that humans created can be responsible for all of these diseases. Recently, researchers discovered that BPA may affect brain development in children because it suppresses a gene that is very important in the development of the nervous system. It may also lead to hormone imbalances, heart disease, and obesity.
ReplyDeletehttp://healthland.time.com/2013/02/26/how-bpa-may-disrupt-brain-development/
http://healthland.time.com/2013/01/09/more-health-harms-for-children-exposed-to-bpa/