BPA & Its Health Hazards
Bisphenol A (BPA) is used to make certain plastics (water bottles, infant bottles, plastic food containers) and epoxy resins. Epoxy resins are used as lacquers to coat metal products such as food cans, bottle tops, and water supply pipes. BPA is also present in some dental sealants and composites.
When plastic made bottles and cans are heated or repeatedly washed, BPA can come out and mixes into food.
Thus BPA is one of the most common environmental chemical exposures in humans. It may be potentially harmful to humans.
Health concern about BPA:
- Animal studies suggests that BPA exposure may cause insulin resistance. It may have a role in obesity and the development of diabetes mellitus.
- BPA is an endocrine-disrupting chemical. It behaves like the hormone estrogen at low level and has estrogenic and thyroid hormone–disrupting effects in experimental studies.
- Two recent human studies reported that higher BPA levels in urine was linked to cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, more studies are needed to support this association.
- Environmental exposure to BPA may contribute to Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD), a strong health risk factor.
- Study using human breast cancer cells revealed epigenetic regulation of cells by BPA in carcinogenesis and progression of breast cancer.
Therefore, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends taking precautions against BPA exposure by calling it a chemical of concern.
Here are some tips to limit your child’s as well as your exposure to BPA:
- Find plastic products bottles, sippy cups, and other tablewares that are BPA-free.
- Choose non-plastic containers such as those made of glass, porcelain, or stainless steel as they do not contain this chemical.
- Do not heat plastic containers even not in the microwave, since heat can cause this chemical to leach out and mix into foods.
- Look for infant formula that is BPA-free.
- Never pour boiling water into a plastic bottle when making baby food. Hand-wash plastic bottles, cups, and plates.
- Throw out any plastic products — like bottles or sippy cups — that are chipped or cracked.
- Reduce your use of canned foods as BPA may present in the linings of cans.
- Avoid plastics with a 3 or 6 or a 7 recycle code on the bottom and choose other types of numbered plastic.
References: 1, 2, 3,
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8, 9, 10,
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12. FDA. CFR part 177. Indirect food additives polymers. Final rule. [Docket No. FDA-2012-F-0031]. Fed Regist 2012;77:41899–902.
