Bisphenol A (BPA) Description/Chemical Forms: Sources/Routes of Exposure: Health Effects: BPA is a synthetic compound derived Sources: There are no natural sources of Animal studies have shown the ability of from diphenylmethane that is used to BPA and since this compound is used in this chemical to cause harmful make polycarbonate, a rigid plastic used polycarbonate production, it can be endocrine effects, including decreased in a variety of industrial and house-hold found in food can linings, plastic water sperm production/fertility, mammary products. It has been in production bottles, dental sealants, Tupperware, gland development, and lowered since the 1960s and is still used by many disposable food packages, medical antioxidant enzymes. In addition, early industries today. devices, ink on receipts, and some onset puberty, and behavioral changes, appliances. Also, landfill leachate can like aggression and hyperactivity can seep into waterways and adversely occur with exposure. affect aquatic species. Young children and infants may also be exposed Fetal exposure is also a concern due to through baby bottles and plastic food BPA crossing the placenta and causing containers. development effects both in the womb and later stages of life. Young children Main Route of Exposure: and infants may also be exposed through baby bottles and plastic food Ingestion-the chemical has been containers. shown to leach into foods and beverages that are stored with packaging containing BPA; fish and seafood due to biomagnification Bisphenol A (BPA) Diagnosis/Treatment Options: Prevention Strategies: Links for Additional Information: BPA is poorly soluble in water and is Advise patients to purchase BPA- More information concerning BPA therefore most effectively detected in free containers, especially baby exposure and health effects can be urine. The NHANES study conducted by bottles, since the chemical can found at the following sites: the CDC during the 2003-2004 year leach through extreme heat showed almost all of the 2,517 (microwaving) or cold (freezing) http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy- participants (aged 6 and up) had BPA in living/nutrition-and-healthy- their urine, suggesting widespread Keep canned and processed foods eating/expert-answers/bpa/faq- exposure among the US population. to a minimum 20058331 Biomonitoring, however, is the best If hard plastics cannot be avoided, strategy for predicting adverse health be sure to keep away from the http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Public effects from prolonged exposure. most hazardous ones, symbols 3, 6, HealthFocus/ucm064437.htm and 7 on the bottom of the container .