Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Netizens often talk about the Bisphenol A or BPA material found in gallon packaging of drinking water in Indonesia. But many people don’t understand what BPA actually is. So what is BPA?
According to the Mayo Clinic, BPA is an industrial chemical used to make polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resin since 1950. Generally, polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resin are used as food containers, drinking bottles, plastic water bottles, and hygiene products.
A study published by Cancer Research UK in 2021 found that BPA was proven not to cause cancer. This is because the levels of BPA contained in plastic containers or packaging are still very low so it is still safe if it enters the human body.
However, a specialist in internal medicine, Dr. Aru Ariadno, said that BPA still increases the risk of serious health problems because it is toxic and dangerous if it enters the body.
“The problem is, BPA is a toxic material and can contaminate wrapped food or liquids stored in BPA plastic,” said Dr. Aru to CNBC Indonesia, quoted on Sunday (15/10/2023).
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Photo: Apartment residents in the Pluit area use gallon water to shower, Wednesday (12/6/2019) (CNBC Indonesia/Muhammad Sabki)
A gallon water seller brings filled gallons to sell to apartment residents in the Pluit area, Jakarta, Wednesday (12/6). Many apartment residents in the area use refilled gallons of water for bathing. Mumun, a housemaid, said that her employer can consume 4-5 gallons of water a day for bathing and washing dishes. The price for a refill gallon was IDR 3,500, which came from pumped water, IDR 7,000 for a refill gallon for the original gallon, IDR 20,000. Many apartment residents use gallon water because the water they live in is sometimes smelly and dirty. (CNBC Indonesia/Muhammad Sabki) |
“If we are exposed to BPA plastic, a number of health problems can arise, such as weight problems in babies, hormonal disorders, cancer, polycystic ovary syndrome, and even premature birth,” explained Dr. Aru.
Regarding different research results regarding the impact of BPA on the body, Dr. Aru advised the public to avoid using plastic materials, especially those containing BPA.
Moreover, a number of countries, such as France; United States of America; Denmark; Malaysia; and Australia has banned the use of BPA because it is bad for health.
“It’s best to avoid using BPA. As long as there are conflicting opinions, we’ll just take what’s safe,” stressed Dr. Aru.
“And for that, government intervention is needed to enforce what is happening [penggunaan BPA] “permissible or not based on existing science,” he continued.
[Gambas:Video CNBC]
(wur/wur)