BPA (bisphenol-A) is an industrial chemical that is widely used in commercial products such as, hard plastic food and beverage containers as well as hygiene products. It is one of the most well-known and widely used chemical that can affect the endocrine system. BPA is an example of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), which are chemicals known to disrupt and affect the normal functions of the endocrine system. (Fraser, D. 2012) It can also be used in baby bottles and in the lining of canned containers. Studies have shown that the urine levels of BPA were 1,221% higher in participants who consumed canned soup for five days as compared to those who consumed fresh soup. According to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO), BPA levels
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It has similar properties to estrogen and because of its estrogen-like shape; it is able bind to estrogen receptors. In doing so, it is now able to influence the normal functioning of bodily processes, such as growth, cell repair, fetal development, energy levels and reproduction. BPA is also able to interfere with other hormone receptors (i.e. thyroid hormone receptors), affecting their respective functions. The human body is sensitive to alterations in hormone levels, which is the reason why BPA's ability to mimic estrogen is believed to affect our health. BPA can also have negative effect on babies. Studies have shown that babies exposed to the chemical weigh 0.2kg less that babies that have not been exposed to BPA. Children born to BPA-exposed parents also tend to have a shorter ano-genital distance, which is an indication of the hormonal effects it has on foetal development. Children born to mothers with higher BPA levels were more hyperactive, anxious and depressed. They also showed 1.5 times more emotional reactivity and 1.1 times more aggressiveness than other children. Exposure to BPA during earlier stages in life is believed to effect prostate and breast tissue, increasing the risk of cancer. (Petre, A. …show more content…
BPA returned in the 1950s as polycarbonate and epoxy resin (most commonly found in plastic bottles and the inside lining of cans) after its properties were studied in 1930. A carcinogenesis study was done after a rise in popularity of BPA containing products emerged. In the late 1970s, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and National Toxicology Program (NTP) tested the safety of BPA. Evidence of carcinogenicity effects found in the report was not concrete. However, the NTP reported reproductive toxicity. In 1997 and 1998, Fred vom Saal and his research team published two studies, based on research done on the effects of low-dose (below 50 micrograms/kilogram) BPA on mice. They found changes in male reproductive organs, as well as, increased prostate weights. Vom Saal’s findings caused a wide controversy surrounding BPA; so much so that a second study was done by the Society of the Plastics Industry Bisphenol A Task Group and European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC) but no negative effects of low-dose BPA use was found. The contradictory results called for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to request the NTP to administer a peer review on the BPA issue. The NTP found evidence of negative effects from BPA and further research was requested. According to modern studies, BPA may cause infertility in both men and women. Women who have experienced
It has similar properties to estrogen and because of its estrogen-like shape; it is able bind to estrogen receptors. In doing so, it is now able to influence the normal functioning of bodily processes, such as growth, cell repair, fetal development, energy levels and reproduction. BPA is also able to interfere with other hormone receptors (i.e. thyroid hormone receptors), affecting their respective functions. The human body is sensitive to alterations in hormone levels, which is the reason why BPA's ability to mimic estrogen is believed to affect our health. BPA can also have negative effect on babies. Studies have shown that babies exposed to the chemical weigh 0.2kg less that babies that have not been exposed to BPA. Children born to BPA-exposed parents also tend to have a shorter ano-genital distance, which is an indication of the hormonal effects it has on foetal development. Children born to mothers with higher BPA levels were more hyperactive, anxious and depressed. They also showed 1.5 times more emotional reactivity and 1.1 times more aggressiveness than other children. Exposure to BPA during earlier stages in life is believed to effect prostate and breast tissue, increasing the risk of cancer. (Petre, A. …show more content…
BPA returned in the 1950s as polycarbonate and epoxy resin (most commonly found in plastic bottles and the inside lining of cans) after its properties were studied in 1930. A carcinogenesis study was done after a rise in popularity of BPA containing products emerged. In the late 1970s, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and National Toxicology Program (NTP) tested the safety of BPA. Evidence of carcinogenicity effects found in the report was not concrete. However, the NTP reported reproductive toxicity. In 1997 and 1998, Fred vom Saal and his research team published two studies, based on research done on the effects of low-dose (below 50 micrograms/kilogram) BPA on mice. They found changes in male reproductive organs, as well as, increased prostate weights. Vom Saal’s findings caused a wide controversy surrounding BPA; so much so that a second study was done by the Society of the Plastics Industry Bisphenol A Task Group and European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC) but no negative effects of low-dose BPA use was found. The contradictory results called for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to request the NTP to administer a peer review on the BPA issue. The NTP found evidence of negative effects from BPA and further research was requested. According to modern studies, BPA may cause infertility in both men and women. Women who have experienced