KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -
A controversial chemical found in many plastic water bottles could turn a person's thirst quencher into a health hazard during this heat wave.
Researchers are talking about the chemical known as bisphenol A or BPA and what happens when it's exposed to the extreme heat.
BPA can be found in many things, including some water bottles.
Several studies show that there's a possible link between BPA and health issues, including infertility and diabetes. Other studies show that if water inside a container having BPA is heated up, the health dangers could increase.
Even during a heat wave, the determined don't skip a workout.
"I'm trying to get back in shape, working out," Kristen Spain said.
Those working out in the heat usually know to keep hydrated and, according to several studies, that's where the hazard lies. Bottles containing BPA that were exposed to boiling hot water released the controversial chemical 55 times more rapidly than before their exposure to hot water.
Local doctors don't recommend heating BPA containers at any temperature.
"I went out to my car and it was 106 inside so it's heating up any liquids you have in the car," Dr. Megan Schlick with Naturopath said. "The heat almost dissolves some of the chemicals."
After hearing doctors' concerns about BPA containers, Spain said she plans to make changes.
Michelle Cowthran, another person out exercising, said she just heard the news herself.
"Recently a friend told me about it. I was getting ready to drink out of a water bottle that had been in my car and she said 'don't do that because it's really harmful,'" Cowthran said.
"It's concerning because they don't really know what BPA does. They are starting to see associations with people who have heart disease, diabetes, obesity. They are starting to see higher levels of BPA in their system. They are starting to see a correlation with BPA levels in people who have trouble getting pregnant," Schlick said.
Others, like Lauren Wrinkler, said they're trying to avoid BPA altogether.
"I think more people need to be aware of it," Wrinkler said.
Schlick said the easiest way to avoid BPA exposure is to avoid heating their plastic containers. She said the next sure step is to replace plastic containers with glass ones.
Just this week the Federal Drug Administration banned BPA from being used to manufacture baby bottles or sippy cups. A spokesperson for the FDA said the agency based the action on the industry's phasing out of the chemical.
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