Plastics compose many articles that may now boast "BPA Free" on the label.

What Is BPA?

BPA, short for Bisphenol A, is an ingredient of epoxy resins and polycarbonate plastic.

Everything from dental sealants to plastic water bottles contains BPA, which scientists now regard as a toxic environmental contaminant.

Numerous studies have investigated the environmental occurrence, human exposure, and toxicity of bisphenol A (BPA). Following stringent regulations on the production and usage of BPA, several bisphenol analogues have been produced as a replacement for BPA in various applications. 1

BPA-Free Plastics

Manufacturers have introduced "BPA Free" plastics since scientific studies found that BPA leaches from plastics and, when absorbed by pregnant women, is toxic to the developing fetus.

BPA is again at the forefront of [endocrine-disrupting chemical] research because its ban or restriction has raised the question of how to replace it. 2

Scientists refer to BPA as an endocrine-disrupting chemical because it interferes with hormone functions. BPA causes congenital malformations in boys, hypospadias (incomplete development of the penis) in various degrees, due to its estrogenic effects.

BPA has other persistent, adverse effects, including increased symptoms of anxiety and depression.

These results provide evidence that prenatal BPA exposure is associated with more symptoms of anxiety and depression in boys but not in girls at age 10-12 years. 3

BPA Substitutes

Manufacturers are switching from BPA to similar chemicals, BPF and BPS, but without first testing these replacements for toxicity.

Recently, BPA substitutes, especially bisphenol F (BPF), have been used because of concerns about the influence of BPA on children, although the actual effects on the next generation are unknown. 4

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widely studied typical endocrine-disrupting chemical, and one of the major new issues is the safe replacement of this commonly used compound. Bisphenol S (BPS) and bisphenol F (BPF) are already or are planned to be used as BPA alternatives. 2

All Bisphenol Is Toxic

Scientists find BPF and BPS more toxic than BPA. These and other scientists call for an urgent evaluation of risks to health because of the worldwide use of these toxins.

BPF exposure altered offspring behavior significantly, resulting in increases in anxiety and depressive state. The influence of BPF was stronger than that of BPA. We demonstrated novel evidence that BPF influences the behavior of offspring. 4

Given their findings, scientists question the value of switching from one toxic form of bisphenol to another. All forms of bisphenol should be banned.

This is the first report showing a harmful effect of BPS and BPF on a physiologic function in humans and rodents. Because there would be no value in trading one health hazard for another, we should urgently focus on the human health risk assessment of BPA substitutes. 2

Bisphenol's Adverse Effects

Brain And Other Organ Damage

Scientists' concerns reach beyond physical defects in newborns and anxiety and depression in children and adults. BPA, BPF, BPS, and other endocrine disruptors can harm many organs of the body.

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are exogenous compounds that can cause disturbances in the endocrine system and have multiple harmful effects on health by targeting different organs and systems in the human body. 5 

This toxic exposure may be primarily responsible for rising infertility in men due to dropping sperm counts, but that is another topic. There are many adverse effects of environmental contaminants having estrogen-like effects on the body.

In mammals, chemicals having [estrogenic activity] can produce many health-related problems, such as early puberty in females, reduced sperm counts, altered functions of reproductive organs, obesity, altered sex-specific behaviors, and increased rates of some breast, ovarian, testicular, and prostate cancers. 6 

What Scientists Don't Know

Scientific knowledge about endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) is lacking. Scientists do not have answers to the following questions:

• What are the sources of human exposure to these toxic chemicals?
• How long do the various endocrine disruptors last in the environment?
• What are the adverse effects of these chemicals on human health?
• Does exposure to combinations of these chemicals cause more harm?
• What happens when these chemicals are altered in the body?

Knowledge gaps and research needs have been identified, which include the elucidation of environmental occurrences, persistence, and fate of bisphenol analogues (other than BPA), sources and pathways for human exposure, effects on reproductive systems and the mammary gland, mechanisms of toxicity from coexposure to multiple analogues, metabolic pathways and products, and the impact of metabolic modification on toxicity. 7

Although the assessment of potential risks to human health due to exposure to EDCs mixtures is a major topic for consumer safety, information regarding effective mixtures effects is still scarce. 8

EDCs Affect Everyone

Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) are in the blood, urine, and tissues of everyone tested. Factories produce millions of tons of these toxins every year, contaminating the planet.

Mass industrial production and widespread use of EDCs have resulted in worldwide contamination. 5

Almost all commercially available plastic products we sampled—independent of the type of resin, product, or retail source—leached chemicals having reliably detectable [estrogenic activity], including those advertised as BPA free. In some cases, BPA-free products released chemicals having more [estrogenic activity] than did BPA-containing products. 6 

Since 2011, scientists have known that manufacturers are capable of producing non-toxic plastics economically.

Our data suggest that EA-free plastic products exposed to common-use stresses and extracted by saline and ethanol solvents could be cost-effectively made on a commercial scale and thereby eliminate a potential health risk posed by most currently available plastic products that leach chemicals having EA into food products. 6 

Recommendations

1. Do not allow plastics to be in regular contact with your food, drinks, or with you.
2. Scientists have determined that you have a toxic burden. Take one or more products that help your body eliminate toxins: Pro-Cell,  ACZ Nano, E3AFA, Green's Pak, Red's Pak. 
3. Contact us for more information or recommendations.  

References

1. Chen D, et al. Bisphenol Analogues Other Than BPA: Environmental Occurrence, Human Exposure, and Toxicity-A Review. Environ Sci Technol. 2016 Jun 7;50(11):5438-53.

2. Eladak S, et al. A new chapter in the bisphenol A story: bisphenol S and bisphenol F are not safe alternatives to this compound. Fertil Steril. 2015 Jan;103(1):11-21.

3. Perera F, et al. Bisphenol A exposure and symptoms of anxiety and depression among inner city children at 10-12 years of age. Environ Res. 2016 Nov;151:195-202.

4. Ohtani N, et al. Adverse effects of maternal exposure to bisphenol F on the anxiety- and depression-like behavior of offspring. J Vet Med Sci. 2017 Feb 28;79(2):432-439.

5. Sidorkiewicz I, Zaręba K, Wołczyński S, Czerniecki J. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals-Mechanisms of action on male reproductive system. Toxicol Ind Health. 2017 Jul;33(7):601-609.

6. Yang CZ, et al. Most plastic products release estrogenic chemicals: a potential health problem that can be solved. Environ Health Perspect. 2011 Jul;119(7):989-96.

7. Chen D, et al. Bisphenol Analogues Other Than BPA: Environmental Occurrence, Human Exposure, and Toxicity-A Review. Environ Sci Technol. 2016 Jun 7;50(11):5438-53.

8. Ribeiro E, Ladeira C, Viegas S. EDCs Mixtures: A Stealthy Hazard for Human Health? Toxics. 2017 Feb 7;5(1). pii: E5.

About Horton Tatarian

I’m a biochemist who examines scientific findings on health and disease. My degree in biochemistry is from U.C. Berkeley. UCLA School of Medicine granted an M.D. degree in 1974. Since then, independent research prepared me to advise clients on natural ways of self-care.

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