BPA Exposure

From water bottles to receipts to baby products, we are chronically exposed to BPA

By Britney Coleman

Bisphenol A, abbreviated BPA, is an industrial chemical most commonly used in polycarbonate plastics. Humans, animals, and the environment are exposed to BPA daily in several ways. While each isolated exposure may seem minor, it is important to understand the risks associated with chronic exposure to BPA (small doses over an extended period of time).

The list of health effects associated with BPA is lengthy because it is in an endocrine-disrupting chemical or EDC. EDC’s are chemicals that interfere with proper hormone function, including blocking and mimicking hormones. Every single body system requires adequate hormone function to carry out essential bodily functions. Therefore, BPA exposure can lead to health implications across all body systems.

-Cancer -Infertility and decreased sperm count or quality -Abnormalities in sex organs (studies have shown that BPA can change the sex of certain animals altogether) -Neurological disorders -Learning disabilities -Impaired immune function -Respiratory problems -Metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes and obesity -Cardiovascular problems -ADD and ADHD

Understanding the potential health implications of BPA exposure is especially important for parents and pregnant women or women planning to become pregnant. This is because babies, especially in utero, are the most vulnerable to BPA.

One of the most commonly used items containing BPA is plastic bottles. Water bottles, soda bottles, shampoo, conditioner, lotion bottles, you name it! The plastic bottles are made out of harmful chemicals such as BPA that leach into the liquid contained inside them. Because plastic bottles are used for packaging essentially everything nowadays, bottled goods result in exposure through all of the three main routes: ingestion (ex. bottled beverages), dermal (bottled lotions), and inhalation (bottled perfumes and colognes).

Picture this - you are trying to reduce exposure to BPA by avoiding food packaged in plastic, so you switch to canned goods instead…only to find out that canned goods are lined with plastic containing BPA! Yup - food cans are not only made up of metals, as many people believe but also a plastic lining on the inside. Its purpose is to prevent the rusting or corrosion of the metal which comes in contact with the food or liquid inside. Unfortunately, as with bottles, harmful chemicals such as BPA leach from this plastic lining. Studies have found that people who consume more canned goods have significantly higher levels of BPA in their bodies than those who consume fresh foods.

The good news is that companies are beginning to make bottles and canned goods free of BPA. When shopping, look for bottles and cans labeled ‘BPA-Free’. This not only reduces exposure and benefits health,

but it also pushes for future change. Not supporting companies that continue to use BPA despite knowing the numerous risks posed by the endocrine -disrupting chemical shows that consumers are aware of what is being put in their products and are not okay with it. As sales for BPA-free products go up, other companies will begin to follow suit.

This one is a surprise to many people because it is not plastic, but do not be fooled. Studies have found that thermal paper can contain up to 1,000 times more BPA than canned goods.

Thermal paper, most commonly used for printing receipts and tickets, works by imprinting characters through the use of heat instead of ink. BPA coats the surface of thermal paper in order to function as a heat-activated developer. Unlike how BPA is bound in plastics, the BPA on receipts and tickets is ‘free’ or ‘unbound’, meaning that it easily rubs off onto the skin. Therefore, normal handling of receipts and tickets leads to dermal absorption of BPA. Studies have even found that cashiers have higher levels of BPA in their bodily fluids than other occupations.

The good news is that there is a quick and easy way to reduce exposure to thermal paper. If you are a customer, ask to have your receipt emailed or texted to you. If you are a cashier, you can prompt customers to receive their receipt in these ways, as well. If you want to make an even bigger difference, speak out about the dangers of thermal paper and demand the usage of non-phenol thermal paper.

How easy is it to just throw that container of leftovers from last night into the microwave? Or how about warming up some milk for a baby in their baby bottle? Unfortunately, while convenient, microwaving plastic is certainly not healthy. Microwaving food and drinks in plastic increases exposure to BPA. This is due to the fact that heat increases the speed at which BPA leaches from plastic and, therefore, increases the levels in the food or beverage being microwaved.

Instead of microwaving food in plastic containers or plastic wrap, use glass plates and containers. This may seem like a small change, but it is of great importance and can significantly reduce exposure.

As consumers, we have more control than we think. While it may be impossible to completely avoid BPA, exposure can easily be reduced through the actions listed above. Small changes are usually the most effective because they are less intimidating and more sustainable. Also, do not be afraid to write to companies, local officials, agencies, etc. to tell them how you feel and hold them accountable! Lastly, by continuing to purchase products containing BPA in cases where there are alternatives, we are telling companies that it is okay to continue using it. However, by avoiding these products, we are telling companies that a change must be made. Companies may turn a blind eye to public health, but they won’t turn a blind eye to a decrease in revenue.

In order to alleviate fear, it is necessary to postface by addressing a negative connotation commonly associated with chemicals. The word may seem scary, but not all chemicals are bad. In fact, everything in life is made up of chemicals. So, try not to worry yourself just based on the word itself - or chemical names which can also sound scary. Instead, dig deeper into what the chemical actually is, what it does, and in what type of exposure (chronic or acute) is it safe or toxic. Based on this information, you can then make a decision on whether not it would be best to limit exposure. Just remember, the keyword is ‘limit’. Most things are impossible to avoid altogether, but even just limiting exposure, in whatever way is easiest for you, is a step in the right direction. Small changes add up and as more people take action, more will be done to protect the public from harmful chemicals. Remember, as consumers, we have the power.

Almeida, Susana, et al. “Bisphenol A: Food Exposure and Impact on Human Health.” Wiley Online Library, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, 5 Sept. 2018, onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/1541-4337.12388.

Hormone Health Network."Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals EDCs | Hormone Health Network." Hormone.org, Endocrine Society, 14 December 2020, https://www.hormone.org/your-health-and-hormones/endocrine-disrupting-