Green Daily

Yesterday, the FDA stuck with its prior assessment that bisphenol-A (BPA) is safe. BPA is a chemical used in hard plastics, including food and beverage containers, and even some baby bottles. Yesterday, a major study also came out, linking BPA to diabetes and heart disease in humans.

According to the FDA's Laura Tarantino, because the "tentative conclusion is that [BPA] is safe, we we're not recommending any change in habits." Tarantino continued, that "there are a number of things people can do to lower their exposure." Confused? Anyhow, here are the tips from the FDA to lower your exposure to BPA, even though they are not recommending any change in habits (?):

• Avoid plastic containers imprinted with the recycling number 7 for food and drinks, as many of them contain BPA.
• Avoid warming food in such containers, as heat helps to release the chemical.

Minimizing your consumption of canned goods, including food and drinks, can also lower your exposure, as many of the epoxies used to line cans contain BPA. If you're not sure if the brand uses an epoxy with BPA, call the manufacturer.

According to an AP article, more than 90 percent of Americans have trace amounts of BPA in their bodies, but the FDA defends its conclusion that the levels are too low to pose a human health risk, even for infants. All while offering up some tips to help you lower your exposure. You know. Just in case.