Bisphenol+A

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1. The premise of this project is to create a public service announcement to aware the people of BPA in products that people consume and that can possibly harm you. We will be explaining the effects, why we should change the chemicals we add to products, and how we can approach these steps.=====

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This chemical can increase the chances of breast cancer by making cancer cells grow and multiply faster. They effect the system in the body by which the body takes products and turns it into blood and many more. Since BPAs are found in water bottles and soda cans, these things often get thrown into bodies of water and burn in garbage dumps which also releases toxins in the air and water. Politically I don't see the harm in that manufactures would stop being lazy and find something that is more people and eco-friendly. Also companies who make the product would change how they serve the people when it comes to actual chemicals.=====

2. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical that is mainly used to make polycarbonate plastics. One of the most common items that polycarbonate plastics are in is drinking bottles. It's also in some pesticides like flame retardants and antioxidants. The BPA can leak into your body through materials that it is in such as containers and bottles. The amount of BPA that is released is directly related to the temperature of the material or the things in it. BPA is found in such a large population of people that many people are starting to get worried about the effects such as problems with fetuses and newborn babies.

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3. Bisphenol A is made in a generally secretive way and the process changes slightly depending on the place making it but the basic building blocks always stay the same. The method of making Bisphenol includes reacting the phenol with a form of catalyst (p-isopropenylphenol or 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-propanol). The reaction has to take place at the temperature of 65 degrees celsius. Then depending on the place, the end product is purified.======

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The synthesis of Bisphenol A done with the condensation of acetone. This contains two equivalents of phenol. This reaction is then catalyzed with a type of acid which can change depending on the place it is made. Often when being produced, extra phenol is added to make sure the full condensation takes place.======

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This plastic is being thrown into the ocean and landfills and is continuing to release BPA. As the plastic degrades BPA is released and has different affects on different environments. In the soil it can affect the growth of plants roots. In the ocean it can affect the fish and organisms in it over time by affecting their reproduction. In humans it can cause breast and testicular cancer.======

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4. This is a chemical being used for more then 40 years that's in in plastics. These plastics are our food containers, water bottles, cups, soda cans and more. There are recent reports that BPA does not harm children and adults but do lead to health concerns about it's safety.======

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Female fetuses exposure to BPA might increase breast cancer along the lines of life. It has the ability to increase the actual growth of cancer cells and other diseases like prostate cancer and brain tissue harm. More then 92 percent of Americans have BPA in their urine. It enters the cord blood from foods and drinks stored in containers. it has chronic health issues like cancer cell growth, behavior impairments in kids, endocrine system disturbances, eproductive system deformities, diabetes, asthma and heart failure problems. It is not a reproductive or development toxicant======

The endocrine system is the system that turns body products into blood.

5. Specific human or environmental systems with which it reacts? The system by which the body takes products and creates blood which is the endocrine system is what BPA effects directly. In terms of the environment, BPA is found in water bottles, soda cans, plastic bags and more, which are all things that find themselves in trash or in bodies of water, which are severely dangerous.

What happens when it degrades? When BPA degrades it is released into whatever the material was part of, often being any liquid within a bottle. The BPA is then inside of that liquid and is consumed.

How long does it take to degrade? Once what was originally in the bottle is emptied and the bottle comes in contact with another substance BPA is released. Since it is plastic it takes longer to degrade then anything natural or organic. There is no definite time line for the degradation of BPA in plastic bottles.

How is it disposed of? This is not a chemical that is directly "disposed of" in that it is not created based on production, profit, and the remains sent to waste. The only actual disposer would be through throwing out the materials with this chemical in it. It can only be "disposed" if it isn't created anymore.

What if it were banned? This would be one of the many other factors humans have to face to make out environment and health better, because that was people could focus more on stopping the development of other chemicals and toxins. It would be the beginning to a movement, or an unheard action. Either way it moves for the better.

Cost of alternatives? There are no extra costs for alternatives, because there are plenty of other water bottles that don't use BPA. The thought of having a bottle to drink water from is a new and American way of thinking that has now traveled throughout, but there is not direct need or economic pillar built that implies we are tied to BPAs, thus there are alternatives.

What products would we not have if it were banned? I personally believe that people would go more into owning an actual metal water bottle and just using that as they seem to be doing. It would be cheaper to own a purifier at home and fill up on the way out, which would eliminate having to purchase water gallon jugs, water bottles, baby bottles, soda cans, and many more. We could use more containers for holding food which we can just clean and use again which would eliminate all those plastic bags and ziplocs, and lastly we could place trash into a container and not a plastic bag for it to get dumped into the trash trucks.

What countries export this product? There is no specific country to export this product because this chemical is found in so many products that there cannot be any one person to point to. Any county who makes, advertises, and buys the products with this chemical in it is responsible for the exporting and importing. They need to become more knowledgeable and tell others or if they are, they need to find other options.

How/If a ban affects you (or the average American) If this product were to be banned, I would be astatic because I could then rest my mind of thinking of cancerous cells growing in me because of the water I drink. I would also feel good because I would have that trust in my world to help establish a do better as a race of humans.

What are the political ramifications of banning this chemical? People would find alternatives, which would mean the companies that support and advertise for these companies who make them. The money that was once invested is now lost, and huge supporters and manufactures of products with this chemical might run short on business based on the people's attention changing to more eco-friendly products.