What is Bisphenol A?

Chemical found in the environment and in manufactured products especially hard plastics which leaches into food and water supplies.
BPA is primarily used in the production of polycarbonate plastics (food and drink packaging) and epoxy resins (lacquers to coat metal such as food cans).

Higher doses of this chemical are linked to various deleterious effects on Human health, primarily infertility.

What are Sources of Bisphenol A?

Bottles: water bottles, baby bottles (using harsh detergents, high-temperature liquids, or products that contain acidic liquids to clean containers or heating plastics in the microwave).
- Ester bonds between BPA & other molecules forming plastic are very sensitive to heat → Heat releases free BPA into the food or drinks.
- Phthalates are other groups of chemicals that make plastic flexible, can also be released into food when heated.
Dental & medical Products: dental filling, sealants & eyeglass lenses
Equipments: dental devices, medical devices & sports equipments
Electronics: DVDs and CDs & household electronic items
Coating of food and drinks cans: epoxy resins that are used to coat

What is the route of entry?

Enters the system when the fingers are placed in the mouth, rather than through the skin (food or water that has been stored in containers made with the chemical)

What is the mechanism of action of Bisphenol A?

Higher doses of Bisphenol A as well as BPS & BPF tend to imitate the estrogens, thyroid, and other hormones in the human body & interferes with their metabolism therefore it works as an endocrine disruptor.
Sensitivity to the effects of BPA is said to be higher in infants and young children.

How serious is the risk?

World Health Organization (WHO) points out that exposure rates tend to be higher than those estimated to exist in most environments (one week of drinking water from polycarbonate bottles increased the levels of BPA in by two-thirds)

What are the deleterious effects of Bisphenol A on human health?

Reproductive disorders	Females: affect egg maturation in humans, interfere with endocrine function involving the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland, affect puberty and ovulation, and that it may lead to infertility. Males: increase the risk of erectile dysfunction and problems with sexual desire and ejaculation.
Heart disease	Coronary artery heart disease, angina, heart attack, hypertension, and peripheral artery disease. Trigger arrhythmias, atherosclerosis, and blood pressure changes.
Type 2 diabetes	Insulin resistance and therefore diabetes type 2
Fetal brain development	Changes in structural development, interference with estrogen regulation & DNA modifications.
Breast and prostate cancer	Increase the risk of breast, prostate, and other cancers (estrogen-like effects)
Asthma	Wheezing and asthma, especially if it occurred during the second trimester.

How to minimize exposure?

Avoid microwaving plastic containers
BPA free foods and packaging (check for the label)

Buy and store foods in non-plastic containers (glass jars)
Choose wooden toys
Avoid canned & use fresh, frozen, or dried products
Avoid using dishwashers or use harsh detergents to wash plastic containers
Breastfeed infants as far as possible

Also watch:

The Dangerous Chemicals In Your Plastic Packages on the Youtube channel “Science Insider”:

Should I Be Afraid of BPA? on the Youtube channel “SciShow”:

What Does BPA-Free Mean? on the Youtube channel “Change is Simple”:

References:

How does bisphenol A affect health? By Yvette Brazier in www.medicalnewstoday.com
Barrett, J. R. (2009, February). Trumped treatment? BPA blocks effects of breast cancer chemotherapy drugs. Environmental Health Perspectives 1172, A75
Carwile, J. L., Luu, H. T., Bassett, L. S., Driscoll, D. A., Yuan, C., Chang, J. Y., …Michels, K. B. (2009, May). Polycarbonate bottle use and urinary bisphenol A concentrations. Environmental Health Perspectives 1179, 1368-1372
Gao, H., Yang, B.-J., Li , N., Feng, L.-M., Shi, X.-Y., Zhao, W.-H., & Liu, S.-J. (2015, January 9). Bisphenol A and hormone-associated cancers: Current progress and perspectives. Medicine (Baltimore) 941, e211
Gao, X., & Wang, H.-S. (2014, August 15). Impact of bisphenol A on the cardiovascular system — epidemiological and experimental evidence and molecular mechanisms. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 118, 8399-8413
Huo, X., Chen, D., He, Y., Zhu, W., Zhou, W., & Zhang, J. (2015, September). Bisphenol-A and female infertility: A possible role of gene-environment interactions. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 129, 11101-11116
Li, D., Zhou, Z., Qing, D., He, Y., Wu, T., Miao, M., …Yuan, W. (2009). Occupational exposure to bisphenol-A (BPA) and the risk of self-reported male sexual dysfunction. Human Reproduction 00, 1-9
Machtinger, R., Combelles, C. M. H., Missmer, S. A., Correia, K. F., Williams, P., Hauser, R., & Rocowsy, C. (2013, October 5). Bisphenol-A and human oocyte maturation in vitro. Human Reproduction 2810, 2735-2745