Bisphenol A

1. Bisphenol A A dangerous toxin or harmless polycarbonate plastic? By Group #4 Saijal Suri, Alex Liu, Karan Nandani, Sahar Shah, Jatin Mahajan

2. Guiding Question • What are the disadvantages and damaging effects of Bisphenol-A and how do they compare to its benefits? • Is it feasible to remove BPA from production?

3. Scope of Research • Background Information on BPA • Production and Manufacturing Process • BPA’s use and application in plastics • Human exposure to BPA • Effects on Human health • Environmental Issues • Opinion of the scientific community • Economic Implications • Government stance • Global Response • Ethics • Possible Alternatives to BPA

4. What is Bisphenol A? • Bisphenol A is a chemical compound used to make polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins used in many products/containers to hold food, beverages, etc... • the IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) name of Bisphenol A is: 4, 4’-dihydroxy-2,2-diphenylpropane • Bisphenol A (BPA) is used in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins because it is a lightweight, high performance plastic, possesses unique balance of toughness, optical clarity, high heat resistance, excellent electrical resistance • Used in wide variety of common products including plastic • Epoxy resins: used in engineering applications and as protective coating in metal-based food and beverage cans • Serves an important safety function in the coating of a can • Prevents corrosion of the can and contamination of food and beverages • Bisphenol A has been used widely in production since the 1950’s • Commercial production of plastic with Bisphenol A (BPA) began in the year 1957

5. How is BPA produced and utilized? BPA was first synthesized by German chemist Thomas Zincke in the early 1900’s The process discovered by Zincke, and the process used today:A synthesis of the compound Bisphenol-A is made by a means of the condensation of acetone and phenol and is then catalyzed by a strong acid. Cation exchange resins can replace the acid catalyst in newer plants After the reaction and synthesis of BPA takes place: the final product (BPA) is cleaned, neutralized with calcium hydroxide and distilled under vacuum To purify, extractive crystallization is used under pressure Bisphenol A is now produced worldwide and the commercial production of the chemical compound has grown enormously with the greater demand.

6. Where is BPA found? Note: Almost all food and beverage containers contain Bisphenol A to some degree eyeglass lenses medical equipment water bottles cell phones computers household appliances rubber boots Adhesives and epoxy resins industrial floorings can coatings powder coatings automotive primers digital media (compact disks etc.) bottle tops water supply pipes infant bottles impact-resistant safety equipment dental sealants dollar bills & paper receipts

7. Statistics - Intake is clearly highest for infants from 6-12 months and children from 1.5-6 years. - Justified with the presence of Bisphenol-A in infant bottles and food products • Chemist John Warner argued that store receipts are the primary source of BPA • U.S. Environmental Working commissioned scientists at University of Missouri to investigate presence of BPA in 36 purchase receipts from grocery stores, banks and other retail stores in Washington D.C. and seven other states (from Connecticut to California) The sales receipts came from stores such as, Safeway, Whole Foods, CVS, Wal-Mart, Chevron, McDonald’s, The U.S. Postal Service, Starbucks, KFC • The average McDonald’s receipt contained 13 million grams of BPA equivalent of amount found in 126 cans of Chef Boyardee soup sauce. • Overall, 40% of receipts collected have high levels of BPA • The lower levels of Bisphenol in certain receipts have been attributed to use of recycled paper

8. How does BPA enter our bodies? The chemical bonds holding Bisphenol-A (BPA) together/between the compound are highly unstable. the bonds break apart easily from its parental compound into whatever substance/food/beverage is in the plastic; the toxins of Bisphenol A leach readily into our food and beverages. This leaching of BPA happens over a lengthy period of time but can be accelerated with heat and an increase in the acidic or basic conditions which it is exposed to. These toxins are then consumed by humans and enter our bloodstreams and tissues, and are linked to adverse health conditions. Although we do not consume the plastic with Bisphenol-A (BPA) in it; the products the plastic container holds are exposed to harmful BPA toxins and are then consumed by humans. Therefore, BPA is a growing concern with the increase of packaged foods and products containing the chemical.

9. BPA is at unsafe levels in one of every 10 servings of canned foods (11%) and one of every 3 cans of infant formula (33%) BPA is at unsafe levels in one of every 10 servings of canned foods (11%) and one of every 3 cans of infant formula (33%) Chart from Environmental Working Group

10. Human Health • BPA is an endocrine disruptor – imitates hormones in the body • Hormones are chemicals released by a cell/gland that sends out messages that affect cells in other parts of organism • Hormones in animals are often transported in the blood, which makes it easy for the body to mistaken BPA, absorbed into the bloodstream along with nutrients in food, for hormones • BPA attacks the human body through the endocrine system • BPA is especially mistaken by the human body for estrogen, which is why scientific studies show greater adverse affects in females and babies • legitimizes the fear of BPA in baby bottles, as the body may mistaken the BPA for estrogen, triggering the early on-set of puberty

11. Human Health cont’d • Statistics Canada data (August 2010) – 91% of Canadians have detectable levels of BPA in their bodies – ages 12 & 19 most likely to have BPA • Apr. 14, 2008 - U.S. National Institutes of Health report - concern that fetuses, infants and children exposed to BPA at increased risk for early puberty, prostate and breast cancer • Chinese study (2009) – men exposed to extremely high BPA levels more likely to report some sort of sexual dysfunction • examine 164 factory workers exposed to 50 times more BPA than North American male • National Institutes of Health animal studies - BPA may imitate estrogen and other hormones • January 2008 (published Environmental Health Perspectives journal) researchers Rochester University – BPA remains in body for very long

12. Human Health cont’d • September 2008 study – 90% participants had detectable levels of BPA in urine • those with highest BPA  3 times greater chance of cardiovascular disease and 4 times greater chance of Type 2 diabetes • Yale researchers – when BPA administered to pregnant mice  altered gene responsible for normal uterine development • Oct. 6, 2009 – journal Environmental Health Perspectives – pregnant women exposed to BPA more likely to have daughters with aggressive and hyperactive behaviours

13. Women exposed to BPA suffer many hormonal problems, including decreased antioxidants, increased aggressiveness, early puberty etc. 71-90% of women surveyed are exposed to unsafe BPA levels 62% of all women are exposed to levels higher than 30ug/kg/d which has been linked to hyperactivity , whereas 71% are exposed to higher than 20ug/kg/d, which can lead to damage to chromosomes and eggs. Chart from Environmental Working Group

14. EWG's tests show that canned foods are a significant fraction of people's total BPA exposure BPA's toxic effects in lab animals are on the rise and common in people ~97% of surveyed women showed at least 0.001 ug/kg/d of BPA trace in urine testing Out of which 80% are exposed to this level of BPA through canned food, recipes and soda cans Charts from Environmental Working Group

15. Human Health cont’d • Animals exposed to highest levels i.e. 250 & 1000 µg/kg/day developed cancerous lesions called carcinomas in situ (CIS) • 50 days of age 25% had CIS • 95 days of age 33% had CIS • hyperplasic ducts  increased # of cells tested positively for estrogen receptor α, i.e. cells were more sensitive to estrogen than normal/control cells • 2006 study: pregnant mice exposed to BPA • Fetuses found to have mammary gland ductal hyperplasias (cell growth and gross enlargement of tissues) and carcinoma (an invasive malignant tumor in epithelial cells) • At all levels 2.5 µg/kg/day to 1000 µg/kg/day, exposure lead to ductal hyperplasias – is a precursor of breast cancer in mice & humans % hyperplastic ducts for 50-day old female rats

16. Human Health cont’d • At sexual maturity, mice treated with BPA were heavier than untreated  increased by up to 22% • Indicate possible link of BPA to obesity • Yale School of Medicine- published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences • exposed monkeys to BPA levels declared safe by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for humans i.e. 50 µg/kg/day • BPA interfered with their brain-cell connections vital to memory, learning and mood Blood sugar levels sharply decreased as bisphenol exposure increased • Another 2006 study shows that BPA exposure in mice disrupts the Pancreatic ß-Cell Function and induces Insulin resistance  Type II Diabetes • Rapid (30 min) decreases of blood sugar levels & increases in blood insulin levels • Long-term (4 days) increases in pancreatic ß cells insulin production & secretion & development of insulin resistance, impaired glucose tolerance

17. Environmental Issues • Low levels of BPA may be released to the environment during the process of manufacturing • It is entering the environment through wastewaters, washing residues and leach from landfills • It contaminates the ground water • It breaks down slowly in environment when there is a lack of oxygen • The slow breakdown process and wide use means that it will build up in the waters • That is potentially harmful to the organisms living underwater • More than 1 million pounds of BPA are released into the environment each year (according to EPA) • As a precautionary measure to address the environmental concerns, Environment Canada is in progress of setting a limit to the concentration of BPA • 2009 review of biological impacts of plasticizers on wildlife published by the Royal Society with focus on molluscs, crustaceans, insects, fish and amphibians concluded that BPA affect reproduction in all studied animal groups • impair development in crustaceans and amphibians and induce genetic mutations • large 2010 study of Canadian rivers found areas contaminated with hormone-like chemicals including Bisphenol-A show females made up 85% of fish population, while females made up only 55% in uncontaminated areas • Interferes with nitrogen fixation at roots of leguminous plants • Environment Canada, state “Initial assessment shows that at low levels, Bisphenol A can harm fish and organisms over time. Studies also indicate that it can currently be found in municipal wastewater."

18. What do scientists have to say? • "BPA levels appear to drop about eight times more slowly than expected — so slowly, in fact, that race and sex together have as big an influence on BPA levels as fasting time," researcher Richard W. Stahlhut. • January 2007 – Yale study, published – Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology state "If pregnant women are exposed to the estrogen-like properties found in BPA, it may impact female reproductive tract development and the future fertility of female fetuses the mother is carrying.“ • Study in journal Chemistry & Biology, 2006 "modified versions of bisphenol A likely to be formed in the body do stimulate breast tumour cell growth in vitro," • statement by Theodore Widlanski, lead researcher & biochemistry professor (Indiana University) "Enzymes present on the surface of breast tumour cells appear to convert the modified BPA back into BPA.“

19. Economic implications • 5 companies using 100 000 to 1 000 000 kg of bisphenol A in Canada (Environment Canada) • This makes it extremely difficult and economically unfeasible to completely remove BPA from production and use • It will have to be phased out and replaced by a reliable alternative that provides the same benefits BPA found in almost every daily use item and therefore, banning it completely will largely impact the economy and is thus, facing opposition from many large companies According to a European report – in more than 80% of its applications, polycarbonate is critical to performance of the component or material Bisphenol A has a global production at 4 billion kg – 2006 25 companies reported importing total of 500 000 kg of bisphenol A into Canada

20. Generally, Developed Nations have most consumption of BPA

21. What is the government’s stance? • October 2008 – Canada became first country to ban import & sale of polycarbonate baby bottles with bisphenol A • federal government also announce to provide $1.7 million over three years for BPA research • April 2008 – statement by federal Health Minister Tony Clement claimed his department found negative health effects only occur at high levels of bisphenol A exposure • "We have concluded that early development is sensitive to the effects of bisphenol A. Although our science tells us that exposure levels to newborns and infants are below levels that cause effects, we believe the current safety margin needs to be higher.“ • announced Canada’s plan to ban any baby products containing BPA and conduct further research • Soon after this, Wal-Mart and Toys-R-Us announced that they would immediately cease selling baby products containing BPA. • More evidence is required for international governments and other countries to take firm action against BPA • The governments of Canada and USA have initiated a plan to monitor and regulate areas like the landfills and manufacturing facilities (areas from where the BPA may enter the environment) • Talks about possible reduction of BPA by government of USA

22. Global Political Response • November, 2009: World Health Organization declared to organize an ‘expert consultation’ in 2010 to examine BPA safety • Decided as result of reports on negative health effects of exposure (in areas such as development, immunity and behaviour) • Impact of BPA on young children was primary concern for WHO (World Health Org) • The Australia and New Zealand Food Safety Authority declare that associated health risks with BPA baby bottles were negligible • not pose any danger to consumers • The Food Safety Authority suggested use of glass baby bottles as alternative to concerned parents • possible alternatives presented – Carbonless paper or thermal coating.

23. Global Political Response cont’d • The European Union commissioned Risk Assessment Report on BPA in June, 2008 (published in June 2008 by the European Commission and European Food Safety Association) • concluded that BPA-based products are safe for consumers and the environment • The Lang Study (conducted October 2008) confirmed their position, concluding that the Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) level for BPA was 0.05 mg/kg bodyweight • indicated products containing BPA were not harmful to human health • September 2010: European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) revised its scientific opinion, based on a "comprehensive evaluation of recent toxicity data” • Data linked the chemical to potential biochemical alterations in the brain, immune-deficiency, and an increased risk of breast tumours. (The studies, however, were considered to be high in error.) • November 25, 2010: The European Union executive commission stated it would ban the manufacturing of baby bottles containing BPA by March 1st, 2011 • Widely criticized as a political move as opposed to a scientific one

24. Global Political Response cont’d • Both Belgium and Denmark have proposed tentative legislation to ban BPA in baby bottles and food-contact plastics in 2010, but have taken no firm action since then • March 24, 2010, the French Senate unanimously passed a law to ban Bisphenol-A from baby bottles. • September 19, 2008: the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment declared itself to be in agreement with the Lang Study. Some individual manufacturers, however, removed pacifiers and baby bottles containing BPA from the market of their own accord. • The Netherlands and Switzerland both deemed Bisphenol-A safe for use, however the Swiss Federal Office for Public Health has publicized a list of alternatives for polycarbonate baby bottles. • December 2009: group of 7 scientists sent letter to UK government, urging to ‘adopt a standpoint consistent with the approach taken by other Governments who have ended the use of BPA in food contact products marketed at children’ • January 2009: UK Food Standards Agency confirmed that ‘exposure of UK consumers to BPA from all sources, including food contact materials, is well below levels considered harmful’.

25. Global Political Response cont’d From 1998 to 2003: Japanese canning industry willingly replaced their resin can liners (containing BPA) with BPA-free polyethylene terephthalate (PET) school lunch tableware containing polycarbonates replaced with BPA-free plastics Japanese risk assessors have discovered, as a result of the changes implemented, that no BPA is detectable in canned foods and drinks and that the blood-levels of Bisphenol-A in people have declined by an astonishing 50%

26. Global Political Response cont’d United States: September 2008- The National Toxicology Program reported that BPA presented itself as a ‘minor concern’ (approximately a 2.5 on a five-level scale) FDA assured consumers that current limits were safe but commissioned additional investigations on the issue March 2009- Sunoco, a gas and chemical producer, refused to sell BPA for use in food and water containers for children below the age of 3 (stating that they could not be certain of the compound’s safety). The six largest US companies commercializing baby bottles vowed to stop using bisphenol A in their products March 13: leaders from House and Senate proposed legislation to ban BPA. September 2009: the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that it would be evaluating BPA for action plan development. October 2009: The U.S. government announced that it would be spending $30,000,000 to study the health effects of BPA.

27. Ethical obstacles The use of BPA in baby products, such as baby bottles, pacifiers and medical equipment can expose babies to additional hormonal changes, by disrupting their endocrine system This can also result in the early onset of puberty in females and is thus, considered unethical Some people might consider testing being done on pregnant mice to be going against the precautionary principle, as they are being harmed in the process of studying the effects of the toxic chemicals The offspring of these mice often show developmental and behavioral deficiencies, along with physical disorders and cancers.

28. Possible Alternatives to BPA • Using glass and stainless steel bottles and dishes • Tritan Co-polyester – BPA-free polymer from Eastman Chemical company • High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) – HDPE plastics are non-carcinogenic plastics used for non-reusable containers approved for use in 1998 by FDA  • Polypropylene (PP) - Polypropylene plastics used in reusable food storage containers & baby bottles • Grilamid TR-90 - being used in Germany • thermoplastic nylon/polyamide made from cyclododecalactam (material used to make Nylon 12) • Not available in Canadian/American market yet  • Baked-on Resins (Oleoresin) - Oleoresin is natural mixture of oil & resin extracted from plants • polyethylene terephthalate (PET) – used in Japan • Increased efficacy testing may produce viable reusable PET alternative 

29. Bibliography • Huke, A. (n.d). THE PROBLEM WITH PLASTICS . Earth Friendly Products, organic gifts, organic products, natural products, eco-friendly, Greentailing, non toxic, green guide, sustainable, recycled, hemp, solar . Retrieved December 29, 2010, from http://www.ecomall.com/greenshopping • Glass Baby Bottles. (n.d.). Break Glass Solutions. Retrieved December 29, 2010, from http://www.breakglass.org/glass-baby-bottles.html • A closer look at Bisphenol A (BPA). (n.d.). Healthy Living and Holistic Health, Tips for living a healthy lifestyle. Retrieved December 29, 2010, from http://www.healthy-holistic-living.com/bisphenol-A.html • CBC News - Health - Bisphenol A. (n.d.). CBC.ca - Canadian News Sports Entertainment Kids Docs Radio TV. Retrieved December 29, 2010, from http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/01/28/f-health-bisphenol.html • What Is BPA? | Bisphenol A (BPA) FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions. (n.d.). Bisphenol A (BPA) Information & Resources. Retrieved December 29, 2010, from http://www.bisphenol-a.org/about/faq.html • Roche, A. (2010, November 25). EU to Ban Bisphenol A in Baby Bottles. Reuters. • Health Canada, 2008: Health Risk Assessment of Bisphenol A from Food Packaging Applications. • August 2008. Available from: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/securit/packag-emball/bpa/bpa_hra-erseng.php •  Health Canada, 2009. Bisphenol A. Available from: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fnan/pubs/securit/bpa_survey-enquete-eng.php •  SCF, 2002. Opinion of the Scientific Committee on Food on Bisphenol A. Expressed on 17 April 2002. SCF/CS/PM/3936 Final 3 May 2002. Available from: http://ec.europa.eu/food/fs/sc/scf/out128_en.pdf. • Gardner, A. (2009, June 10). Studies Report More Harmful Effects from BPA. HealthDay. • Schettler, T. (2009, June 21). Generations At Risk: Reproductive Health and the Environment. The MIT Press. • (2010, Oct. 13). In Bisphenol A. Retrieved Nov. 18, 2010, from http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/01/28/f-health-bisphenol.html • (2008, Apr. 18). In Toxic Nation - Environmental Defence: Bisphenol A Found in Drink Cans, Health Canada Study. Retrieved Dec. 23, 2010, from http://www.toxicnation.ca/bpaqa • (2008, Oct. 17). In Health Canada - Government of Canada Protects Families With Bisphenol A Regulations. Retrieved Dec. 23, 2010, from http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/nr-cp/_2008/2008_167-eng.php • (2010). In Environmental Working Group - Bisphenol A: Toxic Plastics Chemical in Canned Food: View all charts. Retrieved Dec. 21, 2010, from http://www.ewg.org/node/20940 • (2010, Dec. 17). In Environment Canada - Consultation Document Phenol, 4,4’-(1-Methylethylidene)bis-(Bisphenol A). Retrieved Dec. 21, 2010, from http://www.ec.gc.ca/lcpe-cepa/default.asp?lang=En&n=79A93C66-1&offset=4&toc=show • (2010, Feb. 4). In Government of Canada - Chemical Substances: Questions and Answers for Action on Bisphenol A Under the Chemicals Management Plan. Retrieved Dec. 21, 2010, from http://www.chemicalsubstanceschimiques.gc.ca/fact-fait/bisphenol-a_qa-qr-eng.php • Bucher, J. (n.d.). In National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Retrieved Nov. 27, 2010, from http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/media/questions/ntp-speaks-bpa.cfm • Colborn, T. (1996). Our Stolen Future. (A. Gore, Ed.). New York, NY: Dutton, Penguin Books. • Cone, M. (2008, Sept. 16). In Environmental Health News - Bisphenol A linked to diabetes, heart disease in humans. Retrieved Dec. 3, 2010, from http://www.science.gov/scigov/result-list/fullRecord:BPA+environment/ • Environmental Protection Agency. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2010, Mar. 29). Bisphenol A Action Plan Washington, DC: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved Dec. 25, 2010, from http://www.epa.gov/oppt/existingchemicals/pubs/actionplans/bpa_action_plan.pdf • Greiner, E. C. (2010, July). In Bisphenol A. Retrieved Dec. 23, 2010, from http://www.sriconsulting.com/CEH/Public/Reports/619.5000/ • Henshel, D. S. (1999). Environmental toxicology and risk assessment: standardization of biomarkers for endocrine disruption and environmental assessment. (Vol. 1364, M. C. Black, Ed.). ASTM International.