Bisphenol-A (BPA)

1. Bisphenol-A (BPA) Presented By: Erin Harper “A risky chemical against other risky chemicals.”

2. Basic Information Bisphenol-A is an industrial chemical building block that is used primarily to make polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins. Polycarbonate plastic is a lightweight, high-performance plastic that possesses a unique balance of toughness, optical clarity, high heat resistance, and excellent electrical resistance. Epoxy resins have many uses including engineering applications such as electrical laminates for printed circuit boards, composites, paints and adhesives, as well as in a variety of protective coating.

3. Prevalence Bisphenol-A is very prevalent in our environment. We are exposed to it on a daily basis. Polycarbonateis used in a wide variety of common products including digital media (e.g., CDs, DVDs), electrical and electronic equipment, automobiles, sports safety equipment, reusable food, drink containers and many other products. Cured epoxy resinsare inert materials used as protective liners in metal cans to maintain the quality of canned foods and beverages, and have achieved wide acceptance for use as protective coatings because of their exceptional combination of toughness, adhesion, formability, and chemical resistance.

4. Reason of Concern Bisphenol-A is an endocrine disruptor - a substance which interferes with the production, secretion, transport, action, function and elimination of natural hormones. Hundreds of rodent studies performed in government-funded, independent laboratories have found that exposure to BPA causes damage to our body systems that can cause serious health problems. In scientific studies, BPA-exposed animals have altered development of the male and female reproductive tracts, mammary tissues, the immune system, the fat tissue, and the thyroid. These animals are also at heightened risk of mammary and prostate cancers. Finally, BPA-exposed animals have altered brain development, increased aggression in adulthood, abnormal play and sexual behaviors, and decreased maternal behaviors. During a presentation to the Boston City Council, researchers from Tufts University showed a video of mice that had been prenatally exposed to low, environmentally relevant levels of BPA. These mice had behaviors that are comparable to children with ADHD or obsessive compulsive disorder; they were repeatedly flipping or circling in their cages, often for hours at a time. Many of the endpoints affected by BPA exposure in rodents are similar to diseases and disorders that are on the rise in humans: breast cancer, obesity, fertility problems and ADHD are all increasing in the U.S.

5. Reason of Concern Human exposure to Bisphenol-A is widespread.  BPA has become so widespread that it is now found in the vast majority of plastics used commercially today. Most containers and plastic bags contain the compound and it is even found in dollar bills and toilet paper. Most bottled water, which is often subjected to extreme temperatures, has an increased concentration of BPA in the water content. A majority of canned products contain BPA, used as lining for the insides of cans. Microwavable food often comes in containers or bags containing BPA and is especially susceptible to leeching due to high temperatures. Dentals, receipts, recycled paper, etc.

6. (Possible) Additional Side Effects Reproductive disorders - There is some concern BPA can cause human reproductive disorders.  Male impotence - BPA was found in one study to be linked to erectile dysfunction and other male sexual problems.  Heart disease (females) - BPA can cause heart disease in women, scientists at the University of Cincinnati found.  Heart disease in adults - Another US study linked Bisphenol-A to diabetes and heart disease in adults.  Sex hormones in men - An August 2010 study linked BPA exposure to changes in sex hormones in men.  Type 2 diabetes - A UK study linked higher levels of urinary BPA to cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and liver-enzyme abnormalities.  Brain function, memory, learning - US researchers linked BPA exposure to loss of connections between brain cells in primates, potential problems with memory and learning, as well as depression.  Women's eggs - Californian researchers found that exposure to Bisphenol-A may affect the quality of a woman's eggs retrieved for in vitro fertilization (IVF). Chemotherapy - University of Cincinnati scientists found that BPA exposure may reduce chemotherapy treatment effectiveness.  Breast cancer - A Yale School of Medicine study found a possible increase in breast cancer risk among females exposed to BPA and DES (Diethylstilbestrol) in the womb. Asthma - A US study suggested a link between increasing asthma rates and a particular threshold of BPA.

7. In the Environment Although the vast majority of Bisphenol-A (BPA) is converted at manufacturing sites into products, low-level releases of BPA to the environment are possible. Extensive testing and environmental monitoringshows that BPA is rapidly biodegraded in the environment. The weight of scientific evidence shows that the trace amounts of BPA that are sometimes detected in waterways pose no risk to the environment. AquaticThe trace levels of BPA that have been detected in the environment are far below the level at which adverse effects on aquatic organisms would be expected. BPA does not accumulate in aquatic organisms to any appreciable extent and is not classified as bioaccumulative by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Generally BPA is known to affect the reproductive system and mental state of animals when leeched into them. (See rodent experiments)

8. Regulation BPA is banned in the European Union and Canada. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned BPA for the manufacturing of baby bottles and sippy cups in July 2012, however many companies had already begun to phase out the chemical from those products given to children. The agency, however, rejected a petition in March of 2012 to ban BPA entirely, saying at the time many of the studies that found links to health risks from BPA exposure were conducted in animals and may not be translatable to humans. BPA is still used in cans and other packaging although some companies have said they plan to look into alternatives to eventually phase it out.

9. Reduce Exposure Eat Fewer Canned Foods: The easiest way to lower your intake of BPA is to stop eating so many foods that come into contact with the chemical. Eat fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables, which usually have more nutrients and fewer preservatives than canned foods, and taste better, too. Choose Cardboard and Glass Containers Over Cans: Highly acidic foods, such as tomato sauce and canned pasta, leach more BPA from the lining of cans, so it’s best to choose brands that come in glass containers. Don't Microwave Polycarbonate Plastic Food Containers: Polycarbonate plastic may break down at high temperatures and release BPA. Although manufacturers are not required to say whether a product contains BPA, polycarbonate containers that do are usually marked with a number 7 recycling code on the bottom of the package. Choose Plastic or Glass Bottles for Beverages: Canned juice and soda often contain some BPA, especially if they come in cans lined with BPA-laden plastic. Glass or plastic bottles are safer choices. For portable water bottles, stainless steel is best, but most recyclable plastic water bottles do not contain BPA. Plastic bottles with BPA are usually marked with a number 7 recycling code. Turn Down the Heat: To avoid BPA in your hot foods and liquids, switch to glass or porcelain containers, or stainless steel containers without plastic liners. Use Baby Bottles That Are BPA-Free: As a general rule, hard, clear plastic contains BPA while soft or cloudy plastic does not. Most major manufacturers now offer baby bottles made without BPA. Use Powdered Infant Formula Instead of Pre-mixed Liquid: A study by the Environmental Working Group found that liquid formulas contain more BPA than powdered versions. Practice Moderation: The fewer canned foods and beverages you consume, the less your exposure to BPA, but you don’t have to cut out canned foods altogether to reduce your exposure and lower your potential health risks. In addition to eating less canned food overall, limit your intake of canned foods that are high in BPA.

10. Recent News “Girls as young as 7 years old are now beginning to develop breasts and undergo other body changes that their mothers had not experienced until years later. The prime culprit for this new phenomena is Bisphenol A.” As Natural News reported in April, 2010, the average age that girls begin puberty currently stands at around ten years - a drop of more than a year in a single generation. Notably, a century ago the average age for the onset of puberty in girls was 16. Early onset of puberty in girls can cause a number of problems later in life due to hormonal imbalance, including increased risk of breast cancer. Studies have shown that risk of breast cancer is reduced by 7% for every year the onset of puberty is delayed. BPA may also raise a child's risk for developing heart problems or kidney disease by the time they are adults, new research suggests. • High levels of BPA linked to childhood obesity in white children • BPA in tooth fillings may boost kids' behavioral problems • Mom's BPA levels linked to son's thyroid problems

11. Resources http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/221205.php http://www.bisphenol-a.org/about/faq.html?gclid=CKn3osvH1rQCFZGiPAodBFwAPg#a http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/sya-bpa/ http://environment.about.com/od/healthenvironment/a/bpa_tips.htm http://www.viewzone.com/plasticpoison.html http://www.naturalnews.com/035504_BPA_puberty_chemicals.html

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