What are the effects of Bisphenol A (BPA)?

From the Guidelines

Bisphenol A (BPA) exposure should be minimized due to its potential health concerns, including reproductive problems, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and developmental effects in children, as evidenced by recent studies 1. To reduce BPA exposure, it is recommended to:

• Use glass, porcelain, or stainless steel containers instead of plastic, especially for hot foods and liquids
• Avoid heating food in plastic containers
• Choose BPA-free products when possible
• Limit consumption of canned foods with epoxy linings
• Avoid plastic products with recycling codes 3 or 7, which may contain BPA BPA is concerning because it can leach into food and beverages, particularly when containers are heated or damaged, and acts as an endocrine disruptor that mimics estrogen in the body 1. Some key findings from recent studies include:
• Adults have a higher estimated daily intake (EDI) of BPA than children, with a maximum EDI value of 4.86 μg kg bw−1 d−1 for adults and 1.83 μg kg bw−1 d−1 for children 1
• Low-dose exposure to BPA can have significant effects on human health, including developmental and reproductive toxicity, metabolic disorders, and cancer risk 1
• The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has updated the tolerable daily intake (TDI) of BPA from 4 μg kg bw−1 day−1 to 0.2 ng kg bw−1 day−1, highlighting the need for stricter regulatory compliance 1 Overall, minimizing BPA exposure is crucial to reducing the risk of potential health problems, and individuals should take steps to limit their exposure to BPA in their daily lives.

From the Research

Effects of Bisphenol A (BPA) on Human Health

• BPA is considered an endocrine disruptor and has been linked to various adverse health effects, including cancer, infertility, diabetes, and obesity 2.
• Exposure to BPA has been associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and male sexual dysfunction in humans 3.
• BPA has been shown to leach from plastics and penetrate into the human body, where it can act as an endocrine disruptor with significant risks to human health 4.

Routes of Exposure to BPA

• Food intake is considered the most significant route of exposure to BPA, as it can transfer from packaging materials to food 2.
• BPA has been detected in various food products, including fresh and canned foods, and foods sold in plastic packaging 3.
• The use of BPA-free products does not necessarily mean that they are free from estrogenic activity, as some replacement products can leach chemicals with estrogenic activity 5.

Global Trends in BPA Exposure

• A literature review found that the average BPA intake varied across continents, with the highest intake found in Oceania and the lowest in North America 6.
• The annual trend of BPA intake showed a decrease from 2000 to 2008, followed by a slight increase from 2008 to 2011, and then a decrease again in the child population 6.
• The use of BPA in food-related products for children has been widely prohibited in many countries since 2009, which has effectively decreased the total BPA exposure in the child population 6.