Where Else Do Polycarbonates Show Up?

The article yesterday let me know that BPA is an organic compound that is used when making polycarbonate, a material used in plastics to change the plastics’ hardness. I wondered where else polycarbonates show up in our lives.

A November 2007 study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Toxicology Program reports:

“Polycarbonate plastic, which is clear and nearly shatter-proof, is used to make a variety of common products including baby and water bottles, sports equipment, medical and dental devices, dental composite (white) fillings and sealants, lenses, and household electronics. Polycarbonate is used in the manufacture of all CDs and DVDs.”

And also:
“… Bisphenol A is also a precursor to the flame retardant, tetrabromobisphenol A, and was formerly used as a fungicide… In the U.S., it is manufactured by Bayer MaterialScience, Dow Chemical Company, General Electric, Hexion Specialty Chemicals, and Sunoco Chemicals.”

“In 2004, these companies produced just over 1 million t of bisphenol A, up from just 7,260 t in 1991. In 2003, annual U.S. consumption was 856,000 t, 72% of which was used to make polycarbonate plastic.”

I’m realizing that more and more polycarbonates (and thus BPA) are being consumed, despite its possible use in fungicides,etc. and despite more daunting reports that BPA is a “hormonally active agent,” or an “endocrine distruptor.” These agents mutate the hormones of animals; that includes both lab rats and us humans.

Here’s a quote to take home:
“There is thus concern that long term low dose exposure to bisphenol A may induce chronic toxicity in humans.”
http://www.ehponline.org/members/2005/7713/7713.html

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