Using BPA-free products is trendy since more and more people value their health. But not everything in your house needs to be BPA-free. So, should you buy a BPA-free humidifier, or does it not matter?
Simply put, there is no evidence showing that humidifiers containing BPA cause any adverse effect on our health. But it is better to be safe than sorry, especially when buying a humidifier for kids.
If you don’t know much about BPA, I will explain what it is, how it will affect you, and whether the humidifier needs to be BPA-free in this post.
Read on, and you will make a sensible decision.
Table of Contents
What is BPA?
BPA stands for bisphenol-A. It is a kind of industrial chemical used to make plastic and resin since the 1950s.
Many people are concerned about BPA because it is often found in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins that have been used to make food containers.
As these materials will be directly in touch with the food and beverage, there is a possibility that they will release into the food and then get into our bodies.
In fact, a study has found that 93% of 2517 urine samples from people six years and older contain BPA.
Health risks of using BPA products
Like many industrial chemicals we know, BPA can cause many health issues for human beings.
1. Affect hormone level
The structure of BPA is similar to the hormone estrogen. It can bind to estrogen receptors and then affect the hormone level in your body, harming your health in the long run.
2. Infertility in adults
More exposure to BPA is related to infertility in adults for both men and women. Women with frequent miscarriages have two times more BPA in their blood. Men with higher BPA levels are more likely to produce low-quality embryos.
Moreover, the babies of women with high BPA levels tend to be more depressed and anxious. They will also be more susceptible to asthma.
3. Obesity
Children with high BPA exposure are more prone to obesity. To ensure your children are healthier, choosing BPA-free products is vital.
Other health risks also include Type 2 diabetes, heart diseases, and brain dysfunction. So, Preventing BPA from getting into the body plays an essential role in maintaining our health. If the BPA in the humidifier will get into our body, we’d better avoid it.
How does BPA get into your body?
For most of us, BPA enters our body through diet. The BPA in the food container or even the water supply pipe can be released into the food and water and consumed by us.
BPA tends to release quicker when the plastic is heated. The liquid in the container is likely to absorb more BPA than powders.
Other sources include air, dust, and BPA-containing dental sealants.
Do you need a BPA-free humidifier?
Many studies state that low-level exposure to BPA is safe for us. Even though BPA may pose some risks to our health, we shouldn’t overreact and require everything in the house to be BPA-free.
The humidifier is not something related to our diet. We don’t drink the water in it directly. Therefore, We may not get as much BPA as we get from food with BPA-containing packaging.
Beyond that, I haven’t found any study indicating that a humidifier can diffuse any BPA into the air. As I mentioned above, the air is another source of BPA. If a humidifier can’t make BPA evaporate into the air, it will not likely enter our bodies.
So, if you have a humidifier that is not BPA-free, you don’t have to throw it away based on the current research.
However, many people still think it is better to be safe than sorry, especially when they have kids at home. After all, if there is no BPA in the materials of the humidifier, no BPA will leach into the air. Note that some tap water also contains BPA, meaning that you need to use distilled water to be perfectly safe.
Which humidifier is BPA-free?
If BPA is still the deal-breaker for you, go for a BPA-free humidifier directly. Luckily, there are an array of units that can meet your need.
The straightforward way is to enter a “BPA-free humidifier” on a search area on any shopping platform. I am sure you can dig out many great options.
The cool mist BPA-free humidifier from Taotronics is an excellent option for babies. It has an adorable appearance, and the soft night light is a great helpful feature for breastfeeding. Moreover, it is a cost-effective option as well.
You also find many models from Pure Enrichment. Pure Enrichment is a trustworthy brand in this industry. It is safe, comes with a low price tag, and is quiet. Many people like to put it in the bedroom.
If you want to control your humidifier from APP, many BPA-free models from LEVOIT can do it.
You don’t have to pay extra money for it, and it is not hard to find a good one.
Conclusion
Getting a BPA-free humidifier is not as urgent as you may expect. As long as you don’t drink the water in the humidifier, BPA from the humidifier is hard to enter your body and poses any risk to you.
However, this conclusion may change in the future. Considering so many potential adverse health effects, choosing a BPA-free humidifier could be a safer choice anyway, especially for those who plan to put one in the bedroom or baby’s room. Children are more susceptible to chemicals, and we don’t want to have any regret.
Many models in the market use BPA-free plastic without adding any extra cost. You can get one quickly. As it is hard to tell whether it contains BPA or not, the best way is to get the product from a reputable brand.
I hope this post can help you out and decide whether you need a BPA-free unit.
