Bisphenol A (BPA) Health Risks Unveiled
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical substance that is widely used in the production of plastics and resins. It can migrate from food packaging and containers into food and beverages, raising concerns about its potential health risks.
In this article, you will learn about:
- What is Bisphenol A (BPA)?
- Tolerable Daily Intake Adjusted Three Times in 17 Years, Latest Standard 20,000 Times Stricter
- New Standard: Reasonable or Not? Divergent Views from Plastic Industry and Consumer Organizations
- BPA in Food: How to Reduce Exposure and Health Risks
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Q1: What are the main sources of BPA exposure?
- Q2: How can I tell if a product contains BPA?
- Q3: What are the health effects of BPA?
- Q4: What is the difference between BPA and BPS?
Table of Contents
- What is Bisphenol A (BPA)?
- Tolerable Daily Intake Adjusted Three Times in 17 Years, Latest Standard 20,000 Times Stricter
- New Standard: Reasonable or Not? Divergent Views from Plastic Industry and Consumer Organizations
- BPA in Food: How to Reduce Exposure and Health Risks
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reference
What is Bisphenol A (BPA)?
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a synthetic compound that is widely used in the manufacture of plastics, especially polycarbonate plastics. Polycarbonate plastics are hard, clear, and durable, and are often used to make food and beverage containers, such as water bottles, baby bottles, and food cans. BPA can also be found in epoxy resins, which are used to coat the inside of metal food and drink cans, as well as in some dental sealants, medical devices, and thermal paper receipts.
BPA is a known endocrine disruptor, which means it can interfere with the normal functioning of hormones in the body. BPA can mimic or block the actions of estrogen, a hormone that regulates many biological processes, such as reproduction, development, metabolism, and behavior. Exposure to BPA, especially during prenatal and early life stages, may have adverse effects on the brain, nervous system, immune system, reproductive system, and metabolic system of humans and animals. Some of the health problems that have been linked to BPA exposure include infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome, breast and prostate cancer, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, asthma, and neurodevelopmental disorders. BPA may also cause skin sensitization and allergic reactions in some people.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has been conducting regular risk assessments of BPA since 2006, based on the latest scientific evidence and public consultations. In 2023, EFSA published its most recent opinion on BPA, which concluded that the current exposure levels of BPA from food and other sources are likely to pose a risk to human health, especially for infants, children, and pregnant women. EFSA also proposed a new and much lower tolerable daily intake (TDI) of BPA, which is the amount of a substance that can be consumed daily over a lifetime without appreciable health risk.
Tolerable Daily Intake Adjusted Three Times in 17 Years, Latest Standard 20,000 Times Stricter
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical that is widely used in the production of plastics, resins, and coatings. It can migrate from these materials into food and beverages, especially when heated or in contact with acidic or fatty substances. BPA has been shown to have endocrine-disrupting effects, meaning it can interfere with the normal functioning of hormones in the body. Therefore, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has been conducting regular risk assessments of BPA exposure and its impact on human health.
The first EFSA risk assessment report on BPA was published in 2006, setting a tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 50 micrograms per kilogram of body weight. This means that a person weighing 60 kilograms could safely consume up to 3 milligrams of BPA per day. However, in 2015, EFSA revised its opinion based on new scientific evidence and lowered the TDI to 4 micrograms per kilogram of body weight, or 0.24 milligrams per day for a 60-kilogram person. This was considered a temporary measure, as there were still uncertainties about the data and methods used to evaluate BPA’s effects.
In 2023, EFSA completed a comprehensive re-evaluation of BPA’s health risks, using the most advanced methods and the latest data from animal and human studies. The experts concluded that BPA poses a high risk to the liver, kidneys, mammary glands, and reproductive system, as well as a possible risk to the brain, immune system, and metabolism. They also estimated the dietary exposure to BPA for different age groups and consumption patterns, and compared them with the temporary TDI. The results showed that the average and high-exposure consumers of all age groups exceeded the TDI limits, indicating a potential health concern.
Based on these findings, EFSA proposed a new TDI of 0.2 nanograms per kilogram of body weight, which is equivalent to 0.012 micrograms per day for a 60-kilogram person. This is 20,000 times stricter than the 2015 standard, and reflects the high level of uncertainty and precaution applied by EFSA. This new TDI is not yet legally binding, but it will serve as a scientific basis for the European Commission and the EU member states to decide on appropriate regulatory measures to protect consumers from BPA exposure. These measures may include banning or limiting the use of BPA in food packaging and other materials that come into contact with food, as well as setting maximum levels of BPA contamination in food products.
| Year | TDI (micrograms per kilogram of body weight) | TDI (micrograms per day for a 60-kg person) |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 50 | 3000 |
| 2015 | 4 (temporary) | 240 |
| 2023 | 0.0002 | 0.012 |
Source: EFSA (2006, 2015, 2023)
New Standard: Reasonable or Not? Divergent Views from Plastic Industry and Consumer Organizations
While EFSA’s new scientific recommendations aim at public health, they present a blow to the European plastic industry. The European Polycarbonate/BPA Group criticized EFSA’s assessment, claiming serious scientific flaws leading to an overly conservative TDI value, unsuitable as a risk management standard. The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) supported this claim in its report, emphasizing disagreements in scientific and research methods and stating non-support for EFSA’s new TDI.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) also held different views on EFSA’s reassessment methodology. Based on the BfR’s analysis of scientific data on gastrointestinal exposure to BPA, it derived a TDI of 0.2 micrograms per kilogram of body weight—1000 times higher than EFSA’s new TDI value.
However, not everyone opposes EFSA’s research findings. A spokesperson for the European Consumer Organization (BEUC) expressed support, stating that EFSA’s reduction of the TDI value is a step in the right direction. They urged the swift elimination of BPA, suggesting that the EU should follow France’s lead in a comprehensive ban on BPA use in all food packaging and children’s products.
According to EFSA, the new TDI value is based on the most robust and reliable scientific evidence available, which includes more than 450 studies on BPA. EFSA also stated that the new TDI is temporary and will be revised once the results of a long-term study by the US National Toxicology Program are available. EFSA’s experts acknowledged the uncertainties and limitations of the current data and applied a high level of precaution in their assessment.
Despite the controversy, the new TDI value has implications for the regulation of BPA in the EU. The European Commission has requested EFSA to provide a scientific opinion on the migration of BPA from food contact materials, which will be used to update the existing legislation. The Commission has also announced its intention to propose a ban on BPA in thermal paper, such as receipts and tickets, by the end of 2023.
BPA in Food: How to Reduce Exposure and Health Risks
BPA is widely used in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, which are commonly found in food and beverage containers, such as water bottles, baby bottles, cans, and plastic utensils. BPA can leach from these materials into food and drinks, especially when they are heated, scratched, or worn out. BPA can also be transferred from thermal paper to the skin and then ingested.
According to EFSA, the main source of BPA exposure for the general population is food. EFSA estimated that the average dietary exposure to BPA for adults is about 0.36 micrograms per kilogram of body weight per day, which is well below the new TDI of 0.004 micrograms per kilogram of body weight per day. However, some population groups, such as infants, toddlers, and adolescents, may have higher exposure levels due to their higher food consumption relative to their body weight.
To reduce the exposure and health risks of BPA, consumers can take some simple measures, such as:
- Avoiding the use of plastic containers that are not labeled as BPA-free, especially for hot food and drinks.
- Replacing old or damaged plastic containers with glass, stainless steel, or ceramic ones.
- Washing plastic containers by hand with mild soap and water, rather than in the dishwasher.
- Reducing the consumption of canned food and beverages, and opting for fresh, frozen, or dried alternatives.
- Washing hands after handling thermal paper, such as receipts and tickets, and avoiding contact with the mouth.
By following these tips, consumers can minimize their exposure to BPA and protect their health and well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What are the main sources of BPA exposure?
The main sources of BPA exposure are food and beverages that come into contact with polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, which contain BPA. These include water bottles, baby bottles, cans, and plastic utensils. BPA can also be transferred from thermal paper, such as receipts and tickets, to the skin and then ingested.
Q2: How can I tell if a product contains BPA?
There is no easy way to tell if a product contains BPA, as it is not required to be labeled on the packaging. However, some products may voluntarily indicate that they are BPA-free or have a recycling code of 1, 2, 4, 5, or 6, which means they are made of plastics that do not contain BPA. Products that have a recycling code of 3 or 7 may contain BPA or other chemicals, and should be avoided or used with caution.
Q3: What are the health effects of BPA?
BPA is an endocrine disruptor, which means it can interfere with the normal functioning of hormones in the body. BPA has been linked to various health problems, such as reproductive disorders, developmental defects, metabolic diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological disorders. BPA may also affect the immune system and increase the risk of infections and allergies. The health effects of BPA depend on the dose, timing, and duration of exposure, as well as the individual’s susceptibility and genetic factors.
Q4: What is the difference between BPA and BPS?
BPA and BPS are both synthetic chemicals used in the production of plastics and resins. BPS is a substitute for BPA, which has been banned or restricted in some countries and regions due to its health concerns. However, BPS is not necessarily safer than BPA, as it has similar chemical structure and properties. BPS is also an endocrine disruptor, and may have similar or even worse health effects than BPA. BPS is less studied than BPA, and its long-term effects are still unknown.
Reference
- EFSA (2023). Scientific Opinion on the risks to public health related to the presence of bisphenol A (BPA) in foodstuffs: Executive summary. EFSA Journal, 13(1), 3978.
- BfR (2023). BfR does not support the new TDI for bisphenol A proposed by EFSA.
- EMA (2023). EMA reviews use of bisphenol A in medicines.
- BEUC (2023). EFSA lowers safe level for bisphenol A: a step in the right direction.
- European Commission (2023). Commission proposes to ban bisphenol A in thermal paper.
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