One more thing to be aware of while you're pregnant - baby girls exposed to BPA in the womb are more likely to develop emotional and behavioral problems.
By Sarah Yang for TheBump.com
Here's another reason to watch out for BPA (bisphenol A) exposure: According to a study by the Harvard School of Public Health, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, British Columbia, BPA exposure in the womb may cause behavioral and emotional problems, especially in girls. Researchers tested urine samples from 244 mothers during pregnancy and at birth for BPA, and their children were tested every year from ages one to three. The mothers then filled out surveys about their kids' behavior when they turned three years old. Researchers found BPA in 85 percent of the mothers' urine samples and in over 96 percent of the children's urine samples. The data showed that none of the children had clinically abnormal behavior, but some did have more behavioral problems. The children's BPA levels decreased over time, but were higher than those of their mothers.
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The study showed that more exposure to BPA is linked to "hyperactive, aggressive, anxious and depressed behavior, and poorer emotional control and inhibition" in girls, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. Although experts still have yet to determine the exact health effects of BPA exposure, this is definitely a big leap!
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