Description
Bisphenol-A is the building block of polycarbonate plastic, a hard plastic used to make numerous consumer products, including most baby bottles and 5-gallon water bottles. Bisphenol-A is also used in epoxy resins, in the plastic lining of some food cans, in some dental sealants, and as an additive in other consumer products.
Health Effects
Immediate Health Effects
- If SWALLOWED, bisphenol-A (BPA) is Very Highly Toxic
- If ABSORBED THROUGH SKIN, bisphenol-A (BPA) is Very Highly Toxic
- If INHALED (SNIFFED OR BREATHED IN), bisphenol-A (BPA) is Highly Toxic
Longterm or Delayed Health Effects
- This chemical is considered an Unclassifiable Carcinogen by the World Health Organization, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or another agency.
- Suspected Endocrine Disruptor = May interfere with, mimic or block hormones
Other
- Damage to male reproductive organs in test animals: Male laboratory animals exposed to low levels of bisphenol-A in the womb had enlarged prostate weight as adults, shrunken epididymides (sperm-carrying ducts), and reduced sperm counts.
- Early puberty and 20% increase in body weight in female laboratory mice exposed to bisphenol-A in the womb, and increased body weight in mice of both genders exposed as embryos. In mice, exposure to low levels of bisphenol-A has also induced aneuploidy, an error in cell division that causes miscarriages and birth defects, including Down Syndrome, in humans.
How Exposures Occur
Baby bottles
- Bisphenol-A can migrate into infant formula from polycarbonate plastic baby bottles when heated, particularly from older, worn or scratched bottles.
Canned food
- Bisphenol-A may leach from the plastic inner lining in some food cans into the food or liquid containing the food.
Dental sealants
- Several studies have shown that some dental sealants and composite materials used to fill cavities may release bisphenol-A and related chemicals. It is possible that children may be exposed to bisphenol-A from the application of these dental materials. However, more study is required to determine if this route of exposure is of concern.
Some plastic kitchenware
- Some clear plastic spill-proof cups and cutlery (forks, knives, and spoons) are made of polycarbonate. Hot and fatty foods or liquids may dissolve traces of bisphenol-A into the food.
Water bottles
- Five-gallon polycarbonate plastic water jugs, used in dispensers, may leach traces of bisphenol-A into stored water.
Significant Statistics
On average, humans ingest approximately 6.3 micrograms per day of bisphenol-A from the linings of food cans.
National Research Council. Hormonally Active Agents in the Environment. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press, 2000.
http://books.nap.edu/books/0309064198/html/index.html
Bisphenol-A is one of the top 50 chemicals produced in the U.S. Over 1.6 billion pounds of this hormone disruptor were produced in 1995.
National Research Council. Hormonally Active Agents in the Environment. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press, 2000.
http://books.nap.edu/books/0309064198/html/index.html
Solutions
How to detect bisphenol-A (BPA)
- Clear, untinted plastic baby bottles and children�s training cups are usually polycarbonate. As of February 2001, these included Avent bottles and cups; Evenflo clear, untinted bottles; Gerber clear bottles, and Looney Tunes� and Suzie�s Zoo� spill-proof cups; Playtex bottles and Cherub� juice and trainer cups Sassy MAM�, 3-step bottles The First Years� bottles and Peek-a-Boo� cups, Tupperware� bottles.
For other brands, contact the manufacturer to ask if the cup is polycarbonate.
- The #7 recycling code on the bottom of some plastic containers, such as large water bottles used in water dispensers, indicate that they are made of polycarbonate.
How to minimize exposure to bisphenol-A (BPA)
- As a precaution, discard polycarbonate baby bottles, especially those that are worn or scratched. Also discard plastic bottles that cannot be identified.
Alternatives
- Choose baby bottles and spill-proof cups made of glass or polyethylene (#1,#2,#4 recycling symbols), or polypropylene (#5).
Evenflo makes glass bottles which should be available at large chain stores.
Non-polycarbonate plastic bottles and cups include: Evenflo’s colored and opaque pastel plastic bottles, Gerber colored bottles, Fun Grips� and ‘Lil Sport� spill-proof cups, Stroll ‘n Snack� cups.
- Choose fresh, frozen and dried foods over those that are canned.
- As a precaution, avoid dental sealants for children�s baby teeth, which will fall out within a few years anyway. Instead, teach your kids good dental habits of brushing and flossing regularly, especially after sweets.
- Instead of relying on bottled water, which may be packaged in polycarbonate plastic, first test your tap water to find out if you need an alternative to tap water.
- Store food in glass, ceramic and metal containers. Microwave in glass or ceramic. See A Shopper’s Guide to Plastics and Food.
For More information
Books, articles, factsheets and reports
Raloff, Janet. �Food for Thought: What�s Coming Out of Baby�s Bottle?� Science News Online (September 4, 1999).
http://www.sciencenews.org/sn_arc99/9_4_99/food.htm
�Baby Alert: New Findings About Plastics,� Consumer Reports (May 1999).
Other government agencies
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
P.O.Box 12233
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
919-541-3345
http://www.niehs.nih.gov/
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington DC 20460
http://www.epa.gov
e.hormone
Hosted by Center for Bioenvironmental Research at Tulane and Xavier Universities
http://e.hormone.tulane.edu/
Nonprofit organizations
World Wildlife Fund
European Toxics Programme
Panda House, Weyside Park
Godalming, Surrey GU7 1XR
Great Britain
http://www.worldwildlife.org
Other websites
Our Stolen Future
http://www.ourstolenfuture.org
