Bisphenol A (BPA) is an industrial chemical used to make polycarbonate plastic resins. Some research has shown that it can seep from containers into food or beverages; there are claims that it mimics the hormone oestrogen and could lead to cancer, infertility and neurological problems.

“This is true, but only when ‘enough’ BPA is staying in your body,” says Annabe Pretorius, polymer scientist at Plastix 911. “BPA is metabolized fairly quickly and will not remain in the body after 24 hours – probably the single biggest reason why studies have detected BPA in urine.”

The internationally established safe level known as the “Tolerable Daily Intake” (TDI) for BPA is 0,05 mg per kilogram of body weight per day. The TDI is an estimate of the amount of a substance in food that can be ingested daily over a lifetime without appreciable health risks.

“The plastics industry, CANSA and other authorities are in support of BPA-free baby bottles based on the ‘as low as reasonably achievable’ principle,” says Pretorius. “There is absolutely no proof yet that enough BPA will leach from Polycarbonate containers to be of any health risks.”