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| Bisphenol A (BPA) |
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Substance and Sources
Effects of BPA on Reproduction and Pregnancy News and Discoveries Avoiding BPA: Living the Science Recommendations and Resources Do More Research References Substance and Sources: What is Bisphenol A (BPA)? Bisphenol A (BPA) is a man-made organic compound that is a white to light brown flaky powder. It is a building block of many polymers and polymer additives with an annual production of more than 3 million tons worldwide. Common Sources: Bisphenol A (BPA) is used primarily in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins that are then used in food and drink packaging and to coat metal products including the inside of food cans, bottle tops, and as coatings inside water supply lines. BPA is also used in some recycling applications and in some dental sealants. BPA is an endocrine disruptor and as such, even at low doses it may be able to mimic the body’s own hormones. Effects of BPA on Reproduction and Pregnancy In 2007, the Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction at the National Toxicology Program (part of the US Department of Health and Human Services) (CERHR) convened an expert panel on BPA and evaluated it for reproductive and developmental toxicity. Conclusions from this panel were published in September 2008. With respect to reproduction and pregnancy, the panel reported that it had some concern about the effects of BPA on the developing brain, behavior, and on developmental and functioning of the prostate gland in fetuses, minimal concern about the effects of BPA and its effect on the mammary gland in fetuses, and negligible concern about exposure to BPA during gestation causing fetal or neonatal mortality, birth defects, or reduced birth weight. To date, few studies have looked at the effects of BPA on human pregnancies, fetuses and infants and as such, in making their recommendations the committee relied mostly on animal studies. The bullets below summarize some of the findings reviewed by the committee suggesting a link between exposure to BPA and problems with reproduction and/or during pregnancy in human and non-human animals. Findings indicated as “low dose” are those that found effects at levels that are typical of normal exposure within the population. Findings indicated as “high dose” are those that found effects at levels that exceed normal/typical exposure levels. Low and high dose exposures in non-human models were theoretically, designed to mimic that of low and high doses in humans. Specific Effects of Bisphenol A (BPA) Exposure on Reproduction Rodent models with low to high dose exposure:
Specific Effects of Bisphenol A (BPA) Exposure on Fetuses Exposed During Gestation Rodent models with low to high dose exposure:
News and Discoveries: FDA Reconsidering its Assessmeeent of BPA Risks
December, 2008 In response to intense criticism from scientists, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reconsidering its initial assessment of Bisphenol-A (BPA) -- a substance found in many plastics including water and baby bottles. The original report which was released in August, received sharp criticism given its statement that BPA was safe at current exposure levels. Many scientists said that the initial FDA report ignored independent research on the topic in favor of industry studies. In response the FDA has said they will now consider more of those studies in its assessment although they contend that using industry studies is often better because they follow stricter guidelines. BPA is a man-made organic compound that is a white to light brown flaky powder. BPA is used primarily in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins that are then used in food and drink packaging and to coat metal products including the inside of food cans, bottle tops, and as coatings inside water supply lines. BPA is also used in some recycling applications and in some dental sealants. BPA is an endocrine disruptor and as such, even at low doses it may be able to mimic the body’s own hormones. Animal studies have consistently shown that BPA exposure increases the risk of poor pregnancy outcomes and can permanently impair the ability to reproduce. Recent human studies have linked BPA exposure to an increased risk of diabetes and heart disease. Bisphenol A (BPA) Bisphenol A Linked with Increased Risk of Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease September 2008 In the first large-scale population-based evaluation of the association between Bisphenol A (BPA) and health outcomes, Iain Lang and colleagues1 discovered that men and women with above average levels of urinary BPA were at a 39% increased risk for diabetes and at a 28 to 40% increased risk for cardiovascular disease as indicted by diagnosed angina, coronary heart disease, or history of a heart attack. BPA is a widely used high production chemical used in plastic and epoxy resins and is often found in baby bottles, plastic and metal food containers, and in dental sealants. Research has shown that at any given time, nine out of 10 Americans have detectable levels of BPA circulating throughout their bodies. Findings were based on data from the 2003-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. For the study researchers measured urinary BPA in 1455 adults between the ages of 18 and 74. Results were found to persist after adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, income, body mass index, and waist circumference. References 1. Lang IA, Galloway TS, Scarlett A, Henley WE, Depledge M, Wallace RB et al. Association of urinary bisphenol A concentration with medical disorders and laboratory abnormalities in adults. JAMA 2008;300:1303-10. 2. Daston GP. CERHR bisphenol A: review and commentaries. Birth Defects Res.B Dev.Reprod.Toxicol. 2008;83:151. 3. Calafat AM, Ye X, Wong LY, Reidy JA, Needham LL. Exposure of the U.S. population to bisphenol A and 4-tertiary-octylphenol: 2003-2004. Environ.Health Perspect. 2008;116:39-44. Living the Science Recommendations and Resources: BPA Books With More Information About Bisphenol A Books With More Information About Toxins in Plastics Several organizations including the Sierra Club
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