MILLIONS of South African babies under the age of three could be at risk of developing cancer at some stage in their lives because of the feeding bottles they use during early development.
Research conducted by the Cancer Association of South Africa has found that plastic baby bottles that contain a man-made chemical known as bisphenol A can increase the risk of cancer in children.
The three-year study focused on artificial chemicals such as plasticisers in some clingwraps, soft baby toys as well as BPA in polycarbonate baby bottles.
The findings, released on Wednesday in Johannesburg, showed that exposure to BPA during early development may increase breast cancer risk.
It also showed that heating plastic bottles and feeding cups in a microwave releases BPA up to 55-times more than usual.
Col Albrecht, head of research at Cansa, said: "The cheap bottles that do not advertise that they are BPA-free are the main culprits.
"Parents should look for a BPA-free sign when they buy baby bottles because that would save children's lives."
Many countries, including the US, Canada, Denmark and Belgium, have banned plastic baby bottles that contain BPA.
France joined this group in May this year where it announced that the use of BPA in all food containers such as baby bottles has been banned.
Albrecht said the BPA found in baby bottles is just a tip of an iceberg.
"This chemical is all around us even in the water that we drink," he said.
"There is strong possibility that all of us have been exposed to it because stuff such as computers, CDs and credit cards contain it.
"A study conducted in the US found that 92percent of the people who participated had been exposed to BPA. Scientist are now focusing on saving the children by ensuring that baby bottles with this chemical are banned."
Feeding bottles putting babies at risk
MILLIONS of South African babies under the age of three could be at risk of developing cancer at some stage in their lives because of the feeding bottles they use during early development.
Research conducted by the Cancer Association of South Africa has found that plastic baby bottles that contain a man-made chemical known as bisphenol A can increase the risk of cancer in children.
The three-year study focused on artificial chemicals such as plasticisers in some clingwraps, soft baby toys as well as BPA in polycarbonate baby bottles.
The findings, released on Wednesday in Johannesburg, showed that exposure to BPA during early development may increase breast cancer risk.
It also showed that heating plastic bottles and feeding cups in a microwave releases BPA up to 55-times more than usual.
Col Albrecht, head of research at Cansa, said: "The cheap bottles that do not advertise that they are BPA-free are the main culprits.
"Parents should look for a BPA-free sign when they buy baby bottles because that would save children's lives."
Many countries, including the US, Canada, Denmark and Belgium, have banned plastic baby bottles that contain BPA.
France joined this group in May this year where it announced that the use of BPA in all food containers such as baby bottles has been banned.
Albrecht said the BPA found in baby bottles is just a tip of an iceberg.
"This chemical is all around us even in the water that we drink," he said.
"There is strong possibility that all of us have been exposed to it because stuff such as computers, CDs and credit cards contain it.
"A study conducted in the US found that 92percent of the people who participated had been exposed to BPA. Scientist are now focusing on saving the children by ensuring that baby bottles with this chemical are banned."
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