High BPA Levels in Kids Linked to Risk for Heart, Kidney Damage, Study Finds

 BPA is the common name for the compound bisphenol A. BPA is used to line aluminum cans for food packaging, is found to leach out of some plastics when heat is applied (baby bottles included), and is also used as one of the starting materials in resin composite dental fillings. In a recent study of 700 children between the ages of 6 and 19 by the New York University School of Medicine, urinalysis was used to determine BPA levels and albumin to creatinine ratios. The albumin to creatinine ratio in urine gives an indication of kidney damage. Kidney damage markers gave a causative link to BPA, as the kids with the highest protein (albumin) in their urine also had the highest levels of BPA in their urine. Earlier studies of BPA in children show links to heart disease and obesity. It is estimated that 92% of kids in the US have had measurable exposure to BPA by the age of 6 because of the wide food industry use of this compound. Further studies showing BPA links to health risks and negative impacts will likely lead to outcry for industry limits of BPA use-especially those in contact with food. Widespread labeling of non BPA-containing receptacles is already the norm as consumers become more aware of growing data implicating BPA with health risks and demand products without the compound.