Don't Worry, The Expert Says BPA In Bottled Water Is Very Weak In Causing Cancer Or Fetal Disorders

Illustration of gallons of drinking water (ANTARA/HO-Personal Documentation)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Indonesian Cancer Foundation Aru Wisaksono Sudoyo said, until now the Bisphenol A (BPA) material contained in polycarbonate plastic packaging has not been proven to cause cancer.

“I hope you don't have to worry, because the BPA in bottled water is still very weak to cause cancer. So, people don't need to worry or worry at this time," Aru said in a written statement in Jakarta, Antara, Monday, August 15.

For this reason, he asked the public not to panic and be afraid to consume gallon bottled drinking water (AMDK). He said the issue that BPA causes cancer only created panic in the community.

"What they say is that an experiment was conducted on mice, where the mice were actually fed BPA. But a study, initially it didn't work that way, gave BPA directly to experimental animals," he said.

Da suggested that one of the tips to prevent cancer is to drink enough water and ask people to be diligent in living a healthy lifestyle such as exercising and eating nutritious foods.

Lecturer of Biochemistry from the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Bogor Agricultural University (IPB), Syaefudin, PhD added, BPA which is accidentally consumed by consumers from food packaging will be removed from the body again.

BPA that accidentally enters the body will be converted in the liver into other compounds so that it can be more easily excreted through the urine.

“So actually, if BPA is accidentally consumed by us, our bodies. For example, from bottled drinking water that contains BPA. But, when consumed, the most important is the liver. There is a glucorodinase process in the liver, where there is an enzyme that converts BPA into other compounds that are easily excreted by the body through urine, "said Syaefudin.

In addition, said Syaefudin, actually BPA also has a biological half life. That is, when the BPA, for example, has 10 units, it enters the body, for 5 to 6 hours there will only be 5.

“Well, the other half was removed from the body. This means that the potential to become toxic in the body has actually decreased," said Syaefudin.

From a biochemist's perspective, according to Syaefudin, the BPA test after consumption is very necessary.

"So what needs to be checked now is what our condition is like with the current regulations. Actually, how much exposure is there after being in the body. If you already know the explanation, then it can be a logical argument for the industry and the community, "said Syaefudin.