Bisphenol-A or BPA is a synthetic chemical found in plastics, commonly in plastic containers, such as plastic drink bottles, the linings of a wide range of food and drink packages and water supply lines. Dental sealants and composites, eyeglass lenses, household electronic and kitchen items, and some toys and sports equipment may also contain BPA.
BPA is recognised by the body as a type of oestrogen. It reacts with estrogen and thyroid hormone receptors and has been linked to infertility, ADHD, obesity, type 2 diabetes, premature births and early onset of puberty.
Research has also linked low-dose BPA exposure to cardiovascular problems, such as angina, heart attack, hypertension, coronary artery heart disease and peripheral artery disease. BPA may also trigger arrhythmias, atherosclerosis, and increased blood pressure. It can also cause male impotence, disrupt other hormonal systems and affect the brain.
On the basis of data evaluated by the US Federal Drug Administration measuring BPA in human urine, many countries have considered that exposure to the chemical is at very low, and therefore, safe levels. However, a more accurate way has been developed that accounts for BPA metabolites, which are created as the chemical passes through the human body. This method has found that exposure to BPA is far higher than previously assumed.
A 2016 study revealed that two out of three canned foods have BPA. Sanitary products and napkins, even table serviettes, are also sources of BPA.
The shiny coating on till receipts contains BPA which can be absorbed by the skin. Cashiers and waiting staff who frequently handle receipts are particularly vulnerable to the chemical's effects. France wants an EU-wide ban on till receipts with BPA and most receipts in that country are marked ‘sans BPA’.
A 2012 study published in the journal Paediatrics found that children fitted with plastic dental fillings made from a substance with BPA had more behavioural problems than their peers.
A U.S. Centers for Disease Control survey found that 93 percent of the population had measurable amounts of BPA.
A 2019 study, published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, claims that the measurements used by regulatory agencies are flawed, underestimating exposure levels by as much as 44 times. This study raises serious concerns about the safety of this chemical.
We’re all exposed to bisphenol every time we get a receipt from that little machine in the stores. It’s in everyone’s blood which may affect their hormone balance, particularly in children. (Paul Erlich)