Bisphenol A effects on humans are not pleasant

Bisphenol A (or BPA) is an organic synthetic compound that is a key ingredient in the production of many types of plastics. The world produces almost 7 million tons of BPA every year - even though it is known to be hormone disrupting.

An endocrine disruptor

BPA is a so-called endocrine-disrupting chemical. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals are defined as chemicals that interfere with our hormone system and increase the risk of cancer, reproductive impairment, cognitive deficits and obesity.

For many years, science has been unable to explain increasing rates of childhood brain disorders such as autism and learning disabilities as well as some types of cancers. A growing body of evidence points to the presence of unwanted industrial chemicals in the human body (including BPA) as at least part of the explanation.

100+ studies says BPA is harmful

According to the esteemed science journal Nature, over 100 studies document the link between BPA and a large number of negative health outcomes, including: obesity, diabetes mellitus, female infertility, male sexual dysfunction, reduced birth weight and atypical neurobehaviours in children.

BPA harmful at very low concentrations

Research suggests that BPA even at very low concentrations in the human body can be extremely harmful and affect our genetic systems as well as our hormone and reproductive systems. Low doses of BPA has even been linked to disturbing the cognitive development of newborn babies.

In short, we are dealing with some very nasty stuff.

“Tiny doses of bisphenol A (...) have been found to alter brain structure, neurochemistry, behavior, reproduction and immune response in animals”.

- The Wall Street Journal, July 25 2005.

Studies have found that BPA can affect the brain and reproductive organs at concentrations 25,000 times lower than what was considered “acceptable levels” meaning of course that these so-called acceptable levels should be MUCH lower. Like 250,000 times lower. Or a safe level of zero to adhere to the precautionary principle.

Some industrial chemicals have no safe level

After studying the effects of lead on children the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency basically concluded that lead has no safe level at all. Or put differently: the safe level is zero. This might very well be the case for a number of other chemicals as well - including BPA.

How common is BPA in the human body?

The effects of BPA even at very low concentrations makes it so much more disturbing that traces of BPA are found in about 95% of urine samples in modern societies. It has even been found in the amniotic fluid protecting the baby in the mother’s womb and in the umbilical cord blood of newborns. Not good.

In a US study, 30 % of groundwater sites tested positive for BPA, making it one of the five most common chemical contaminants in groundwater. Mother Nature didn't put it there.

In what products are BPA used?

The plastics that contain BPA are used to make a wide range of products, including plastic bottles, food cans, sports equipment, medical & dental devices, receipts, and household electronics. It’s also used for car interiors and even in baby bottles and toys.

BPA is also sometimes used relining water pipes supplying drinking water. Yes, really. Of course, in these cases BPA leaches directly into the drinking water.

The cocktail effect of chemicals

Besides the fact that a single chemical such as BPA can be harmful at very low concentrations, some intrusive chemicals in the human body “cooperate” to produce an even stronger effect. This is known as the cocktail effect and it’s not pleasant. Chemicals that individually might be harmful can mix into a chemical cocktail with severe negative effects for the human body.

To add to the problem, chemicals are normally tested individually. As a consequence, recommended safe levels are also based on individual effects rather than the combination that happens in real life.

In the real world, we have up to 700 chemicals in our body that were not there before the industrial revolution. Even baby cord blood contains an average of 200 industrial chemicals not supposed to be there.