The University of Texas at Austin
College of Engineering
IGERT - Indoor Environmental Quality
A Healthy Home is in Your Hands

bpa

Bisphenol A (BPA)

What is bisphenol A?

Bisphenol A, also known as BPA, is a white solid that is commonly used 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 electrical resistance3,4. Due to these physical properties, polycarbonate is used in a wide selection of common consumer products. Epoxy resins have an exceptional combination of toughness, adhesion, formability and chemical resistance, so they are most commonly used as protective coatings3.


What are the sources of bisphenol A in my home?

Because of its wide range of applications, bisphenol A can be commonly found in many products in the home. Polycarbonate plastics are used in food and drink packaging, including water and baby bottles, compact discs, safety equipment, and medical devices6. Epoxy resins are used to coat metal products, such as food and drink cans, water supply pipes, and bottle tops6. Some other common household products that contain bisphenol A include2:

  • Children's toys
  • Dental sealants
  • Reusable drink containers
  • Microwavable food containers (typically marked with a '#7' on the bottom6)
  • Electronic equipment
  • Sports helmets
  • Eyeglass lenses

What are the health effects of bisphenol A?

Although bisphenol A is present in the air, food, and water, the most common route of human exposure is through the diet6. Bisphenol A can be leached from aged products or those that are cleaned with harsh detergents or used to contain high-temperature liquids1,2. If it is subsequently ingested by people1, it may induce adverse effects in humans2. Animal studies have shown that this chemical is an estrogenic hormone disruptor that may cause reproductive damage and birth defects in children and breast cancer in adulthood1. Bisphenol A can also be present and passed through breast milk, so newborns and infants may have a higher risk of exposure6.


How can I reduce my exposure?

Green guide and other sources suggest different ways to reduce exposure to BPA1,5:

  • Avoid plastic containers that may contain BPA (Figure 1)
  • Consider washing polycarbonate bottles by hand and not in the dishwasher in order to avoid degrading the plastic and the leaching of BPA.
  • Avoid putting plastic baby bottles in the microwave.
  • Avoid plastics that are cracked or cloudy.
  • Use glass baby bottles or plastic bag inserts.
  • Select soups, milk and soy milk packaged in cardboard cartons.
  • Avoid canned foods from makers who use BPA.
  • Consider storing fruits and vegetables in safe glass jars.


Figure 1: Classifications of Plastic Containers 7


Where can I find more information?

For more information on Bisphenol A and the associated health risks, contact:


References

  1. Glossary: Bisphenol A http://www.environmentaldefence.ca/toxicnation/resources/glossary.htm, Accessed April 2008.
  2. U.S department of Health and Human Services, 2007. NTP-CERHR expert panel repost on the reproductive and developmental toxicity of bisphenol A. http://cerhr.niehs.nih.gov/chemicals/bisphenol/BPAFinalEPVF112607.pdf, Accessed April 2008.
  3. Bisphenol A fact sheet http://www.bisphenol-a.org/pdf/FactSheet-what.pdf, Accessed April 2008.
  4. Bisphenol A Frequently Asked Questions http://www.bisphenol-a.org/about/faq.html#a, Accessed April 2008.
  5. The Bisphenol-A debate: a suspect chemical in plastic bottles and cans http://www.thegreenguide.com/doc/114/bpa/4, Accessed April 2008.
  6. National Institutes of Health: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Bisphenol A (2008), http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/media/questions/sya-bpa.cfm#19, Accessed 2008.
  7. Picture from the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, http://www.healthobservatory.org/library.cfm?RefID=77083, Accessed April 2008.

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