Delrin and BPA

jloug · Post by **jloug** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 7:43 pm

Does anyone know if Delrin contains BPA?

Jerry Freeman · Post by **Jerry Freeman** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 8:44 pm

I believe it does not.

Although I haven't found a specific citation stating that Delrin/acetyl plastic doesn't contain bisphenol-A, there are many references that state that BPA is used in epoxies and polycarbonates, which are different families of plastics from Delrin. So far, I haven't seen any reference to any other plastic than polycarbonate and epoxy containing BPA.

Best wishes,
Jerry

jloug · Post by **jloug** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 9:36 pm

Thanks, Jerry.

workbased 2000 · Post by **workbased 2000** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 11:28 pm

What is BPA? Is it bad for you?

Jerry Freeman · Post by **Jerry Freeman** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 5:08 am

Bisphenol-A is a possible hormone disrupter, a manmade chemical that mimics the effects of estrogen.

The sources of exposure of greatest concern are the epoxy linings of tin cans (especially tin cans of infant formula) and polycarbonate nursing bottles. There's greater concern about effects on infants because of possible developmental effects that would not be at issue in adults.

Best wishes,
Jerry

jemtheflute · Post by **jemtheflute** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 6:16 am

Jerry Freeman wrote:Bisphenol-A is a possible hormone disrupter, a manmade chemical that mimics the effects of estrogen.

The sources of exposure of greatest concern are the epoxy linings of tin cans (especially tin cans of infant formula) and polycarbonate nursing bottles. There's greater concern about effects on infants because of possible developmental effects that would not be at issue in adults.

Best wishes,
Jerry

"Breast is best". No excuses, now!

workbased 2000 · Post by **workbased 2000** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 11:33 pm

Thanks for the info guys. Reason I asked is I just ordered a McGee GLP in Delrin. I'd hate to think I was ordering a life shortening material. I think my drinking beer does enough damage without asking for additional trouble!

scheky · Post by **scheky** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 6:50 am

jemtheflute wrote:
Jerry Freeman wrote:Bisphenol-A is a possible hormone disrupter, a manmade chemical that mimics the effects of estrogen.

The sources of exposure of greatest concern are the epoxy linings of tin cans (especially tin cans of infant formula) and polycarbonate nursing bottles. There's greater concern about effects on infants because of possible developmental effects that would not be at issue in adults.

Best wishes,
Jerry
"Breast is best". No excuses, now!

For infants or adults there Jem?

fearfaoin · Post by **fearfaoin** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 7:37 am

Let me tell you the story
Of a man named jloug
On a tragic and fateful day
He put a post on C&F,
Just to ask 'bout delrin
And something else called BPA

Did the answer get learned?
No, it never got learned
And the stone remains unturn'd
He may wait forever
For some sort of answer
It's the answer that never was learned.

Just kidding guys, great answers!

Ronbo · Post by **Ronbo** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 9:22 am

fearfaoin wrote:Let me tell you the story
Of a man named jloug
On a tragic and fateful day
He put a post on C&F,
Just to ask 'bout delrin
And something else called BPA
Did the answer get learned?
No, it never got learned
And the stone remains unturn'd
He may wait forever
For some sort of answer
It's the answer that never was learned.
Just kidding guys, great answers!

Ain't that supposed to be sung to the tune of MTA as sung by the Kingston Trio?

Seems to me with the inherent stability of delrin, your potential for absorption of BPA by casual flute playing is extremely small. Plus, BPA is flushed out of your system by beer

Jayhawk · Post by **Jayhawk** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 10:00 am

I'd think the risk of absorbing BPA just by playing a flute or whistle to be very slim to none...unless you lick and suck on your flute (then you have other issues we need to talk about in the PROCTology forum) or repeatedly heat/clean with harsh chemicals.

Eric

Guinness · Post by **Guinness** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 11:10 am

jemtheflute wrote:"Breast is best". No excuses, now!

So you're saying the estrogen effects of BPA is a good thing?

(Yes, the question is obviously a booby trap.)

---

http://www.bisphenol-a.org/human/epoxycan.html

walrii · Post by **walrii** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 8:35 pm

Guinness wrote:
jemtheflute wrote:"Breast is best".
obviously a booby trap

Obviously a bad pun.

We periodically get these questions about chemicals on an item we handle for an hour or so per day. Meanwhile, we drink gallons of water, soda and other liquids from plastic bottles, store our leftovers in plastic tins, take home our left-over dinner in plastic "doggie bags," eat sandwiches, candy bars, breakfast burritos and frozen vegetables stored for ages in plastic and on and on. Never mind all the chemicals loaded in those foods before they were ever wrapped in plastic. Anyone who worries about chemicals in their whistles either isn't paying attention or has way, way too much time on their hands. Thank you for allowing me this rant. We now return you to our regularly scheduled programming.

azw · Post by **azw** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 8:52 pm

The Walrus makes a good point.

I'd think an instrument maker would have more risk (if there is one) that a musician.

sbfluter · Post by **sbfluter** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 10:30 am

The Walrus is right. And not only that but there's a story the news isn't telling you, which is the accumulation in the environment of plastic particles. Plastic gets into the environment as litter, as industrial waste and when shipping containers fall off ships.

As it degrades (by the sun -- photodegredation) the plastic pieces get smaller and enter the food chain at the bottom through filter-feeders in the ocean, concentrating the estrogenic effects up the chain. There's an area in the Pacific Ocean the size of Texas with 6 times more plastic by weight than biological life.

I'd worry more about the containers your food and other items are packaged in than your flute if I were you.