BPA and Its Effects on In Vitro Fertilization

Because of its flexible but strong properties, Bisphenol A (or BPA) is a chemical commonly used in a huge array of plastic products. Just how common is it? According to one study, as of 2009, 3.6 million tons of BPA are used by manufacturers yearly. You will find BPA in everything from plastic food containers and baby bottles, to household electronics. This wouldn’t be so bad if BPA didn’t have the nasty habit of leaching into things it comes in contact with. For example, food kept in plastic containers with BPA will absorb the BPA and it doesn’t stop there.  When we consume the food, BPA enters into our bodies and can act as an endocrine disruptor, which behaves like or even blocks hormones. These actions mess with our normal body functions and can result in several different health issues, including (but not limited to) various cancers, thyroid issues, and difficulty conceiving.

Recent research has shed more light on the effects of BPA on one specific health concern: women’s reproductive health. In particular, this new research suggests that higher levels of BPA can reduce women’s chances of conceiving while undergoing in vitro fertilization treatments.  The study followed 137 women seeking fertility treatment at the Massachusetts General Hospital Fertility Center.   BPA concentration levels were measured in each woman’s urine sample.  Background information was collected on each participant, such as race, age, medical history and lifestyle factors.

The researchers followed each woman’s progress as she underwent fertility treatment, recording successful embryo implantations and failures.  After analyzing all of the data they had collected, the researchers saw a clear correlation between increased BPA levels and decreased rates of pregnancy.  Women with the higher levels of BPA in their urine were less likely to be able to conceive, and this trend persisted when the researchers controlled for the background factors, such as age, that they had collected.

This is the first study to look at the role BPA plays in women seeking fertility treatment, and furthermore, it supports the finding of past studies that have looked at the effects of BPA in animals.  For more information on this study and the effects of BPA explore the links below.

~ Jessica

Resource:

http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/newscience/2012/04/2012-0514-bisphenol-a-impacts-female-fertility/

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/heart/articles/2009/06/10/studies-report-more-harmful-effects-from-bpa

Phthalates and Other Compounds Lead to Infertility

Infertility is a common problem for many couples trying to conceive in the U.S., and statistics show that 1 out of 10 couples will have trouble becoming pregnant at some point.  Recent evidence suggests that this struggle with infertility can be exacerbated by chemical compounds called hormone disruptors in our environment. When in the body these hormone disruptors act like naturally occurring hormones, including sex hormones such as estrogen and testosterone, and can disrupt normal body functions.

From previous research, we already know of several such hormone disruptors that impact fertility including bisphenol A (BPA), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), pesticides, and PCBs.  The newest culprit to join this group is phthalates.  Phthalates are chemicals found in plastics, personal care products, and a variety of building materials and are used to add flexibility, transparency, and durability.  They also have the unfortunate side effect of contributing to infertility.  In women, phthalates can lead to endometriosis, which is a condition related to infertility.  In men, phthalates can lower testosterone levels, leading to lowered sperm quality.

A recent study in Italy examined the levels of phthalates in the urine of couples unsuccessfully attempting to conceive and couples who had recently had children in an effort to determine the impact of phthalates.  Fifty-six couples participated in the study.  After examining the data, the researchers found that the couples who were not yet able to conceive had three to five times higher levels of phthalates in their urine compared to those couples who were able to conceive naturally.   

Because of their properties, phthalates are everywhere in our environment and can be hard to avoid.  However, there are several things we can do to help cut phthalates, and other chemical compounds that impact fertility, out of our lives.  Here are some tips on avoiding hormone disruptors and increasing your family:

·         Out with the old plastic, in with the new glass!  Throw out your old and used plastic containers and replace them with glass containers, that way you avoid phthalates and BPA in one fell swoop!

·         Toss the vinyl products, including faux leather and shower curtains.

·         Invest in stainless steel and cast iron.  Your food will taste better and you will avoid the chemical PFOA used in nonstick pans.

·         Go organic!  Organic fruits and veggies won’t have harmful pesticides on them.  Buying organic personal products such as shampoo, soaps, and lotion will also help you avoid phthalates.

~ Jessica

Resources:

http://www.rodale.com/research-feed/reasons-for-infertility?cm_mmc=TheDailyFixNL-_-826774-_-02272012-_-is_your_shampoo_keeping_you_from_having

http://www.rodale.com/print/8089

http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/newscience/2012/01/2012-0206-infertile-couples-higher-phthalates/

Obesity in America and Obesogens

Obesity rates in the United States have been on the rise for over 150 years, since the Industrial Revolution that brought us away from farms and into factories.  However, in recent decades obesity in America has become more of an epidemic.  Currently, about one-third of adults are obese and about 17% of children are obese, and in 1985 no state had a recorded obesity rate higher than 14%.  Check out this animated map from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for a visual representation of this change over the last 25 years.

This epidemic has been mainly attributed to poor diet and a lack of exercise, but recent research has pointed toward a third factor: obesogens.  Obesogen is the name given to a category of chemical compounds that have been shown to contribute to weight gain in children and adults.  Included on this list are bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).  All of three of these compounds are commonly used in some household items, including kitchen utensils and cookware.

Research on these and other obesogens suggests that different compounds may act differently in our bodies to produce the same result: excess weight.  For example, some compounds affect the number of fat cells, some the size of fat cells, and others affect hormones that control appetite, satiety, metabolism, and even food preferences!

BPA is an obesogenic compound that actually reduces the number of fat cells in humans; however, it programs the remaining individual fat cells to become much larger.  Infants who are exposed to BPA in the womb may be born underweight because of this effect, but eventually the child may put on weight because of enlarged fat cells.

Phthalates, another set of obesogens, are a group of compounds commonly used in plastics to make them more flexible and durable.  Recent studies have shown that increased levels of these compounds are linked to increased weight around the abdomen and a resistance to insulin.

Lastly, PFOA is a compound that potentially acts as an endocrine disruptor, meaning it interferes with our hormones, affecting our appetite, metabolism and more.  This compound lowers the surface tension of liquid, so it is used in nonstick cookware such as Teflon. 

With genetics and our cultural habits stacked against us, the last thing we need is an environment filled with obesogens.  To cut these compounds out of your environment you can start by taking the following steps:

·         BPA is found in the lining of some canned food and plastic food containers.  To reduce BPA exposure in your kitchen get rid of these items by buying fresh fruits and vegetables rather than canned, and switch to glass food containers.

·         Phthalates are also found in some food packaging and containers.  Yet another reason to switch to glass!

·         PFOA is used in nonstick cookware.  To avoid this compound switch to cast ironand stainless steel cookware.   These products produce a better cooked meal and healthier food!

~ Jessica

Resources:

http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetchArticle.action?articleURI=info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.120-a62#r31

http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.9882

http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/trends.HTML

New Study Finds Link between Lead Exposure and Pessimistic Outlook

Pessimism is a personality trait characterized by a tendency toward negative outcomes that is associated with higher instances of depression, heart disease, stroke, and reduced cancer survival as compared to optimists.  So what brings along this unattractive characteristic? From one perspective, it has been shown that the lower your socioeconomic status (SES), the more pessimistic you become, but could there be something else influencing this relationship?  It can’t just be SES, obviously! This was one of several questions asked by the VA Normative Aging Study, a longitudinal study of veterans in America.

Past research has suggested that lead could be linked to levels of pessimism; however, this research had limited conclusions because of insufficient information on SES in childhood and adulthood for the participants of the study.  As a result of this inconclusiveness, past research has been unable to confirm that independent of SES, lead helped increase pessimism.  But with new studies and analysis, researchers from the VA Normative Aging Study sought to find a clearer picture.

The VA Normative Study collected data from 412 men in the Boston area between 1991 and 2002 and measured their levels of pessimism using the Life Orientation Test.  Lead exposure levels for these 412 men were then recorded using x-ray fluorescence. 

Why measure lead? Exposure to lead will often result in damage to the nervous system, have negative impacts on memory, behavior, and intelligence, and may increase the risk of heart disease.  These factors are particularly detrimental to you children with developing brains.

With all of their data and research, the researchers were able to determine that lead exposure levels were associated with increased pessimism ratings independent of the participant’s SES.  In other words, even without considering SES, lead is related to levels of.  And on the other end of the spectrum, researched also found that SES had an impact on pessimism independent of lead.  Through these findings they concluded that it seems both lead exposure and SES have an impact on levels of pessimism, independent of one another.

There are several steps you can take to help you and your families avoid lead exposure.

1.       To help reduce lead exposure that may be present in water, run cold tap water for about three minutes in the morning to help clean your home’s plumbing system.  After flushing the pipes, fill a jug with water to use throughout the day for drinking and cooking.

2.       In older homes, lead based paint may be present.  If you are suspicious of your home having lead-based paint or if you have had it tested and lead is present in the paint, try adding a fresh coat of paint to the walls every couple of years and sweep regularly to pick up any paint chips. 

3.       Lead may also be present in ceramic pots and other types of cookware.  We suggest buying food safe cookware made from stainless steel or cast iron.

4.       Traces of lead may also be found in old, imported, or homemade ceramic dishware with a glaze.  To be safe, try using dishware without a glaze like glass or stainless steel.

~ Jessica

Resources:

http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/content/174/12/1345

http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/newscience/2011/12/2012-0111-higher-lead-increased-pessimism/

Study Finds that Component of Plastic is Associated with Pregnancy Loss

In a study released late last year, researchers from Denmark found a possible link between phthalates in plastics and pregnancy loss:

Women who were exposed to relatively common levels of a particular phthalate were more likely to experience early pregnancy loss than women exposed to lower levels of the phthalate.

Phthalates are compounds used in plastics to make them more flexible, transparent, and durable.  They are commonly used in food packaging, personal products such as perfume and cosmetics, and even children’s toys.  In the Denmark study, the particular phthalate in question is called monoethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP), which is created through metabolic processes as a result of phthalates present in our bodies. 

In the past, studies have examined the results of phthalate exposure in rats and found that such exposure resulted in higher rates of pregnancy loss as well as smaller litters.  This study, however, is the first to look at phthalate exposures in humans. The study began by collecting several urine samples from couples attempting to get pregnant for the first time.  These samples were collected during the women’s last cycle and 10 days after their last cycle before becoming pregnant.  The researchers then tested these samples for levels of different forms of phthalates and collected data on those who experienced pregnancy loss.

After data was collected, the researchers compared the number of women who were exposed to high levels of phthalates to the number of women who experienced pregnancy loss.  Of the 148 women in the study, 48 had experienced pregnancy loss, with 32 of those lost pregnancies were during the first week of pregnancy.  When this data was compared to levels of various phthalates in the urine samples, the researchers found that the women with high levels of MEHP in their urine during the time of conception were more likely to experience pregnancy loss than women with low levels of MEHP in their urine.  However, they found no connection between MEHP levels in urine during their previous cycles and pregnancy loss.  These results lead researchers to deduce that MEHP levels matter the most at the particular time of conception.

For more information on this study, see resources listed below.

While these results are very interesting, this is the first study of phthalates and pregnancy loss involving humans so there is a need for independent studies to test and corroborate these findings.

~ Jessica

Resources:

http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/newscience/2011/12/2012-0111-phthalates-miscarriage/

http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.1103552

The National Children’s Study: Addressing the Debate over BPA

The debate over BPA began several years ago when scientific studies were suggesting that BPA present in our environment could have serious negative effects on our health.  Like any debate, there are at least two sides to a story, or in this case, a study.  In the case against BPA, preliminary research suggests that BPA may cause several health issues; however, most of these studies involve animal test subjects rather than humans, and for this reason some scientists do not believe that BPA could affect us to the same degree.

At ESP, we believe there may be a connection between BPA exposure and our health, which is why we are doing our best to educate consumers and give families a place where they can purchase non-toxic products based on their own beliefs and lifestyles. Our take on BPA can be categorized under the Precautionary Principle: “When an activity raises threats of harm to human health or the environment, precautionary measures should be taken even if some cause and effect relationships are not fully established scientifically.” In other words, we like to think it’s the “Better Safe than Sorry” principle where based on the research currently available, there are several proactive steps we as consumers can take to reduce our exposure to BPA. 

Currently, there is research underway to give us more insight into BPA under the National Children’s Study.  What makes this study different than one in the past is that it has an observational study that focuses on humans more so than animals.

The goal of this study, which began in 2000, is to “improve the health and well-being of children and contribute to understanding the role various factors have on health and disease.”  These factors include water, diet, environmental pollutants, and more.  The National Children’s Study will be the largest long-term of children’s health ever conducted in the United States.  Over the course of 21 years the study will follow 100,000 children, recording details about their environments and their habits.  The study will be conducted in a variety of locations across the country, including rural and urban populations and populations from different ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.  All in all, 105 different locations will be used.  With this information scientists will have a wealth of information to draw links between our environment and our health, including the effects of BPA.

After 7 years of planning, the piloting of their study design began in 2007.  Beginning this month the National Children’s Study is ready to begin the first year of their main study.  This is the first major step toward gaining observational data on BPA and our health…and we’ll be keeping our ears and eyes open for any new findings!

~ Jessica

Resources:

http://www.nationalchildrensstudy.gov/Pages/default.aspx

http://healthychild.org/blog/comments/what_the_national_childrens_study_means_to_you/

http://www.sehn.org/wing.html

Relax! Stress Could Increase Toxic Risks

Here at ESP we are dedicated to keeping you informed on any new chemical research that can help you make educated decisions when purchasing non-toxic products!  So, the most obvious means helping you avoid exposure to chemicals like BPA and PFCs in your food and drink is to purchase non-toxic products like stainless steel cookware, food safe containers, BPA free water bottles, and more kitchen and on-the-go type products.  But because of obvious environmental repercussions and a lifetime of inevitable exposure to some chemicals, we all have traces of toxins in our body.  Yes, it’s a harsh reality but not one that can’t be managed! So now, in addition to being more conscious about what we put into our bodies, we can also be conscious about what’s already in our system.

The answer to helping minimize the effects of toxins in our body is to simply RELAX. 

It is already widely known that stress has the potential to weaken our immune systems, thereby making us sick.  However, as Jane E. Clougherty of the University of Pittsburgh Department of Environmental and Occupational Health explains, “…stress is a nonspecific constellation of physiological effects.”  In other words, stress has the capacity to affect our health in a variety of different and unrelated ways…so stress may facilitate the potentially negative effects of chemicals in our bodies.  Recent research has found that stress can influence the way environmental pollutants and chemicals act in our bodies.  Clougherty and colleagues published research in June of 2010 showing that laboratory rats exposed to pollutants experienced greater respiratory effects when consequently exposed to stress as compared to rats not exposed to pollutants.  The stress made a difference.

While stress can negatively impact us all, children and pregnant women are most vulnerable.  As Dr. Rosalind J. Wright of Harvard Medical Schools explains, “both epidemiological and animal studies show that stress may impact key regulatory systems in the body, throwing them out of balance.  This can happen at any period in life, but if it occurs in a critical stage of development when rapid changes are already taking place—like pregnancy or adolescence—it might have particularly measurable as well as lasting effects.” 

The issue of stress is still largely unexplored in pregnant women and children’s health research.  In January of 2011 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) gave the field a shot in the arm, so to speak, by awarding seven Science to Achieve Results (STAR) research grants to scientists studying the interactions between stress and environmental exposures.  The grants totaled $7 million.

While we wait for the researchers to report back, we can start practicing smarter ways to deal with our stress.  Here are some of my favorite methods:

1.      Exercise – run around and burn off some steam!

2.      Breathe deep – it will give your body and mind time to relax

3.      Smile – you might feel silly, but I guarantee you will also feel happy J

4.      Take a walk – sometimes the best way to deal with a stressful situation is to take a break from it

5.      Cut back on the java – caffeine affects our quality of sleep, which in turn will lead to more stress

Good luck staying stress and chemical free!  And let us know if you have any good relaxation inducing tips!

~ Jessica

Resources:

http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.119-a430

BPA and the Risk of Heart Attack in Women

It seems like more often than not we are learning more about the potentially negative effects of BPA on our health, and a recent study has added to the list of potential causes linked to BPA exposure.  The study, published in the journal PLoS ONE, suggests that BPA may send signals to female heart cells, causing those cells to beat erratically.  This condition is known as arrhythmia and it can result in cardiac death.

BPA, or bisphenol A, is a compound commonly used in a variety of household products, especially those made with plastic and canned foods.  By using products that have BPA in them, we can become exposed to the chemical, and once the BPA is in our systems it has the potential to mimic estrogen.  This is dangerous because the human body maintains a delicate balance of hormones to regulate all of its functions.  In this study, for example, estrogen has been show to alter contraction rates in heart cells.  When estrogen mimicking BPA is in our bodies, this effect is multiplied and becomes potentially harmful to a normally functioning heart.  BPA throws the balance of the hormone estrogen out of whack and the heart suffers as a result.

Laura Vandenberg of Tufts University explained that, “though not flashy, this study is excellent at revealing nuances of how cardiovascular tissue can respond differently than cells elsewhere in the body to estrogen – and to BPA.”  Furthermore, she explains that this effect is found even with very low doses of BPA, “the most effective dose was very close to – if not completely overlapping – what’s been reported in humans.”

Scientists have debated whether BPA levels are high enough in humans to cause the potential health risks associated with its exposure.  In this case, the level of BPA commonly found in females has the potential to cause heart problems.

To avoid this serious risk and any other lurking issues resulting from BPA, throw out your old and used plastics and buy BPA-free water bottles and food containers.  It’s a “whole-hearted” investment worth making!

~ Jessica

Resources:

http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/337035/title/BPA_sends_false_signals_to_female_hearts

http://www.rodale.com/bpa-and-heart-attacks?cm_mmc=TheDailyFixNL-_-759528-_-12212011-_-common_plastic_chemical_could_cause_fatal_heart_flaw

Tox21: Safety Testing of 10,000 Chemicals to Begin this Year

Earlier this year the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banded together to give us a high-speed robotic screening system called Tox21.  This system was created to test the potential toxicity levels of 10,000 compounds.  The list of 10,000 compounds covers chemicals used in a wide variety of products including consumer products, food additives, chemicals used during industrial processes, and human and animal medications.

Not only will Tox21 provide us with information on individual chemicals, but it will also test the potential health hazards of mixtures of chemicals.  Linda Birnbaum, director of the National Toxicology Program, notes the importance of Tox21, “All of us are exposed to many different chemicals at the same time, not just one chemical at a time.  These new technologies allow us to more rapidly advance our understanding of not only individual chemicals, but mixtures of chemicals as well.”

This exciting technology will be able to test chemicals at a rate that was never made possible by human hand.  Such speed and efficiency will enable organizations like the EPA and the FDA to quickly determine any potential health risks related to newly developed compounds.  Additionally, Tox21 can improve the efficiency of companies who will be able to avoid the use of chemicals already declared unsafe.  The director of the FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Janet Woodcock explains that, “the Tox21 rapid assessment of drug toxicity can become a powerful safety tool for protecting the American public.  It also has the potential to help bring innovative drugs to market by allowing drug developers to identify unsafe candidate drugs early.”

After many trial runs, Tox21 is ready to start testing!  Official testing of the 10,000 compounds began last week.  When testing results become available they can be accessed through NIH and EPA chemical toxicity databases.  For more information on Tox21 refer to the following informational pamphlet: http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/assets/docs_p_z/ntp-tox21.pdf

~ Jessica

Resource:

http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsroom/releases/2011/december07/index.cfm

Should I Exercise While I'm Sick?

I recently read an article from Rodale.com that brought up the question I have always asked myself, “Should I exercise while I’m sick?” I once heard it was a good idea, so when I have a cold, I actually do exercise. And for me, it makes a difference. I feel 100x better after forty-five minutes treck on the elliptical. And honestly, while I have had a few colds already this season, I’ve been flu-free for a very long time!—something I credit to staying healthy and active J.

David C. Nieman, DrPH, FACSM, conducted a 1,000-person study to find the correlation between exercise and catching a cold.  Here are some of his findings:

1.      Those who were physically active, lean, and ate plenty of fruit had fewer sick days (1/3 to be exact) than those who did less physical activity and were overweight.

2.      When those who were physically active got sick, symptoms were less severe.

3.      People who engage in moderate levels of activity while sick can reduce their sick times by up to half. Moderate activity includes exercise for at least 45 minutes five to six days a week.

But these findings are for colds only. Nieman says that if you are seriously ill or have a viral infection, exercise may make the illness worse or last longer.  So stick to resting!

Here are a few exercise tips for staying healthy during cold and flu season:

-          Stuffy nose, sore throat, cold symptoms…get active!

-          Aches, pains, fevers, diarrhea, chest congestion, swollen glands…rest, rest, rest!

-          When you have a cold, make sure your exercise isn’t too rigorous.  Try a brisk walk for 45 minutes.

-          If you are recovering from the flu, don’t jump into intense exercise right away. Ease back into your routine.

Thank you for the tips, Rodale!

~ Hannah

BPA and the Long Term Behavioral Effects on Unborn Girls

Not to our surprise, the plot surrounding BPA and the ways it affects our health thickens.  A new study came out this week with some interesting results.  A group of scientists measured the BPA levels in urine from several hundred pregnant women, and over the course of several years they measured the BPA levels in urine of the women’s children.  BPA has already been linked to obesity, neurological diseases, thyroid disease, and cancer; and this new study has added another bullet point to the laundry list: BPA may even affect behavior.

BPA is a common additive in many plastics that can mimic some hormones in the body.  For this reason BPA is especially harmful during the prenatal stages of life and during early childhood development.  Of the 244 women in the study who had high levels of BPA in their urine during pregnancy, scientists found that their 3-year-old children were more likely to have behavioral issues such as hyperactivity, aggression and depression.  This was especially true for girls. BPA levels in children after birth were not found to be linked to these increased behavior issues, so it seems that this finding is particularly significant for pregnant women.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, along with other experts, has made the following suggestions to help reduce the level of BPA we are exposed to:

·         Choose stainless steel water bottles or glass water bottles.

·         Use glass containers in the microwave rather than plastic containers.  Heating up plastics increases the chances that BPA will be released into your food.

·         Cut back on buying and eating canned foods, which also may contain BPA.  Go for fresh fruits and vegetables instead!

~ Jessica

Resources:

NPR

The Charts

Reusable Bags...a storage place for bacteria!?!?!

A study recently published in Food Protection Trends by Dr. Charles Gerba, found that reusable shopping bags contain bacteria and 8 percent contained E. coli.  The bacteria grow when meat juices were placed in the bags, then kept in the trunks of cars—causing bacteria growth to increase tenfold. Plus, think about how many different things you store in the reusable bags…from those meats to unwashed fruits to sometimes even gym clothes!

But there’s good news: if you wash your reusable bags, you can help reduce bacteria by almost 99.9%. Easy as that! So for a couple tips:

-          Wash your bags regularly and dry them on high heat or in the sun, if possible, to kill germs.

-          Use bags for food only…or at least designate which is for food and which is for gym clothes!

When heard this news I was (a) surprised and (b) not really surprised. Kind of a mix of feelings, I know, but that’s truly how I reacted! I mean, I was surprised because I never even thought to think about how easily bacteria could accumulate in the reusable bags that I use for more than just groceries. And I was “not really surprised” because it makes total sense! I use my reusable bags like they are meant to be used- I reuse them and reuse them for groceries, carrying clothes, sometimes holding gym clothes, helping me move items from point A to point B, and so on.  They are great and multi-functional.  But now, I’m rethinking my reusable bag use and about to head home today and wash them all inside and out.  Pretty sure I don’t want E. coli or other bacteria in proximity any longer.

More info: http://www.environmentalleader.com/2011/10/11/bacteria-rife-in-reusable-bags/

New Study: Packed Lunch Bags Foster Bacteria Growth

On Tuesday, August 9, 2011, a study found that bag lunches may foster bacteria growth in perishable foods, even if the bags are insulated and/or contain multiple ice packs.

Eight scientists from Texas set out to study bacteria growth in lunch bags to evaluate the risk of germs inhabiting our food.  Because children have a higher risk of developing food borne infections, they conducted the study at nine private child-care centers.  An electronic temperature gun was used to measure the temperature of packed lunch items, which were checked at random three different times. To help determine the risk of germs, a food’s temperature was considered unacceptable if it fell between 4° and 60° Celsius (39° to 140° Fahrenheit).

The results of the study had astonishing outcomes:

-       Out of 618 perishable foods packed in a lunch bag with just one ice pack, only 14 of the food items were considered acceptable 90 minutes prior to consumption. (About 22.7% acceptance)

-       Out of 61 perishable foods packed in a lunch bag with multiple ice packs, only 5 of the food items were considered acceptable 90 minutes prior to consumption. (About 82% acceptance)

-       Some lunches that were placed in a refrigerator were also deemed unacceptable.  This could have resulted from several factors: the type of lunch bag, the internal temperature of the refrigerator, and/or the amount of time the lunch was at room temperature before being placed in the fridge.

What can we take from these findings?

-       It’s safer to pack a lunch bag with multiple ice packs than just one.

-       Try freezing food the night before and placing it in a lunch bag…in addition to multiple ice packs.

-       How about freezing a juice box? That can add to the insulation in your lunch bag…oh, and add multiple ice packs.

-       Avoid leaving foods out for prolonged periods of time.  Pack it at the last minute possible…with multiple ice packs.

Notice something? Ice packs, ice packs and more ice packs!

Personally, I have always thought one ice pack was enough, or I have packed my lunch and left it out for a while before realizing I had forgotten to place it in the fridge. Time for me to re-think my packing skills!

~ Hannah

Resources: Science News