8 Horrific BPA Toxic Effects on Humans and Environment in 2022

BPA was first developed in the 1890s by Russian chemists. It was initially intended to be used as an artificial estrogen, mimicking the effects of hormones in the human body.

By the mid-century, BPA was used to manufacture polycarbonate plastics, epoxy resins, and other plastics.

There are two main reasons for its use in making plastics:

1. It could make resilient plastics that would not break or shatter when heated/cooled.
2. This toxic chemical was inexpensive and widely used in commerce.

BPA is not the only chemical with this property – there are many others (we will explore other BPs in a while). BPA is found in many different types of plastic products.

Bio-based plastics like PLA are not exempt from this chemical; in this article, I have covered the eight most horrific BPA toxic effects on humans and the environment. Please keep reading to know what they are! 

BPA is an ingredient in many of the things we use every day, like water bottles and can liners. It’s been around for nearly 120 years – think about how much it must be changing our environment.

To find the answer to this question, we must first understand what BPA Bisphenol A is and why we should be concerned!

Bisphenol A (BPA) is the oldest synthetic compound commonly used in the production of hard plastic, also called polycarbonate, epoxy resins, dental fillings, food storage containers, water bottles or big plastic containers to store water, PVC pipes, and even baby bottles!

Several studies have confirmed that BPA accumulates in different human tissues and organs, causing potential damage to human health on a molecular level.

Since it mimics and has hormone properties, it may bind to estrogen receptors of the body resulting in weight gain, tumour formation, altering metabolism, cancer progression, liver damage, impacting the cardiovascular system, impairing female reproductive functions, and impairing male reproductive functions by binding to androgen receptors (androgen receptors are found inside male reproductive tissues) [1].

What might you not know about this chemical, though? It contaminates nearly every aspect of our lives, whether we realize it yet, such as food, beverage, toiletries, air, and soil [2].

Endocrine disruptors such as Bisphenol A have been linked to genotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, cytotoxicity, and neurotoxicity in previous studies [3],[4],[5].

The EU, the US, Canada, China, and other countries have enacted laws and regulations restricting or prohibiting the use of BPA. But for industries, it was a must to continue to produce plastic bottles to remain in business. So they replaced BPA with its chemical analogues, also called BPs (BPs are classified as a class of chemicals knowns as diphenylmethane).

According to research, these chemicals or BPs analogous are used to replace BPA have shown results in toxic effects similar to or greater than those of BPA.

These BPs analogues are Bisphenol S (BPS), Bisphenol F (BPF), Bisphenol AF (BPAF), Tetra Bromo Bisphenol A (TBBPA), Bisphenol AP (BPAP), Bisphenol B (BPB), and Bisphenol Z (BPZ) analogues. 

They are used in industrial products such as epoxy resins, baby bottles, thermal papers, sulphides and pesticides, and leather.

In addition, the combination of these chemicals can cause more harm to the body. A study was conducted at the end of the year 2013 by the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston; the researchers found that the mix of several endocrine disruptors triggered cells to undergo mutation and damage to genes. A majority of Americans have evidence of BPS in their urine.

Here’s the takeaway: If it’s plastic, there’s a good chance it contains BPA. Finally, reusable plastic bottles advertised as “BPA-free” still pose a significant risk, given the extensive use of alternative chemicals by manufacturers.

Industrialisation and modern lifestyles have exposed people to a wide range of hazardous compounds, ushering in a new era of chronic diseases.

The endocrine-disrupting potential of BPA is well recognized, but studies on its epi-genotoxic effects have sparked questions about whether long-term exposure to BPA might lead to chronic human disease, such as cancer in hormone-sensitive organs.

A recent research review highlights several pieces of evidence suggesting a connection between BPA exposure and genotoxic activities and epigenetic changes, which could be the catalyst for carcinogenesis, i.e., cancer. 

BPA is found in many plastic products, including cosmetic bottles, food packaging, cans, baby bottles, and so on!

BPA toxic effects are not limited to harming humans but the environment and biodiversity. This toxicity is also reciprocated by other chemical analogues of BPA, such as BPS, BPF, BPAF, TBBPA, BPAP, BPB, and BPZ) analogues.

For this article, the below list doesn’t only confirm the effects of BPA alone, Still, it also includes all the other BPs analogues as mentioned above.

Here in this list, I have discussed all 8 BPA toxic effects (including the short and long-term exposure of BPA & BPs), which we should be aware of. Better share this information with our family and friends to protect them and make better decisions when buying products for our own family.   

When BPA enters the body, it can disrupt the endocrine system. BPA can lead to a variety of health problems, including:

BPA and all BPs analogues are dangerous for men’s and women’s fertility, reproductive organs, and functionality. Here’s how!

BPA threatens female fertility as it gets into a woman’s body and tricks the reproductive system into thinking it’s a hormone. 

This intrusion stops or changes what the body’s natural hormones are supposed to do and has been shown to affect the quality of the eggs a woman produces.

Research has also shown that BPA seriously threatens men’s health because it affects male reproductive function by mimicking the natural hormones resulting in erectile dysfunction.

BPA remains a significant factor of concern in today’s time. Still, its emerging effect on the fetus’s early development and fertility threatens future generations.

According to one study, BPA negatively affects specific fetal development processes. As BPA has been shown to affect the reproductive cycle, it has also been shown to change the DNA of the fetus, which can lead to congenital disabilities. In case you wondering how BPA can enter the fetus’s body? So let me explain this:

In the early development of the fetus, BPA enters through the placenta carrying BPA from the mother’s body to the developing fetus. Isn’t it worrying!!

Many studies have discovered that BPA promotes the development of breast, ovarian, and prostate cancer.

Another study found that BPA may reduce the efficacy of chemotherapy in breast cancer patients, which is a cause for concern for anyone undergoing radiation therapy.

BPA also helps with weight gain. It is partly due to its ability to act as a hormone in the body.

It impairs insulin production and resistance (destroying the body’s blood sugar control) and causes increased production of fat cells.

The medical community consensus that BPA appears to have effects on brain functions. For example, a Duke University Medical Center study found that BPA prevents chloride from being removed from the central nervous system. It also interferes with the process the brain controls genes.

Excessive chloride in the brain is known to be one of the leading causes of dementia, Alzheimer’s, and other cognitive impairments. It is not to mention that BPA is the primary cause of these conditions, Still, it generates an environment in which they are more likely to develop.

Heart disease caused by obesity is approaching epidemic proportions around the world.

About 45% of all deaths in Europe are due to cardiovascular diseases and 37% of all deaths in the EU. While in the USA, heart disease remains the number one cause of death.

It is primarily due to high-fat diets and processed foods; research confirms that BPA used in product packaging can also be a factor.

Some studies have found that exposure to BPA increases the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease.

Researchers have confirmed a link between these diseases and BPA, but they are unsure how they interact. 

According to several studies, BPs were found in various environmental media, including water, sediment, soil, biomass, and air [6],[7], [8].

Previous research has shown that BPs can cause endocrine disruption and enter the human body through diet or non-dietary sources, causing harm to human health.

Bisphenol analogues (BPs) have been extensively used in industry as substitutes for bisphenol A (BPA). It is found in high surface water concentrations, sediment, sewage, and sludge.

BPs in the natural environment may endanger the aquatic ecosystem and human health. This study described the occurrence and toxicity of BPs in marine environments and their potential ecological risk to aquatic ecosystems around the world.

To be honest, the solution for this query isn’t an easy one. If I were to say we should simply say no to plastic, that’s an attempt to ignore the nuances of this issue as plastic is everywhere, and there’s no substance available to substitute for plastic yet.

However, I do think that there are some steps that can be taken on a national level and on a personal level.

Suggestions on a national level:

• There must rule that are strict for closing the plastic cycle which includes the manufacturing process until its recycling. The people who are from authorities like officials, the plastic manufacturing industry, industries using plastic as raw material and consumers who purchase plastic items must be held accountable for the use of plastic.
• There should be a reputable recycling centre for plastic in every town not just in the cities.
• There should be awareness-raising programs to recycle and reuse plastic. And, it should be made mandatory for every civilian and authority.
• There should be a limitation on the amount of plastic that we are allowed to produce during the course of a year to ensure we can control the plastic waste that is already in our environment. This will allow us to take advantage of the coming year to reduce the amount of plastic that is in the water sources.

Suggestions on a personal level:

Let’s start with limiting the amount of BPA our loved ones, and we come in contact with. You can do this in the following ways:

• Use borosilicate glass instead of plastic: reduce plastic use and use glassware or stainless steel.
• Cook your food most often: limit your use of packaged food. Natural foods are way healthier than packaged food; they add nutrition to your diet and are better for the environment. Avoid canned food as the can linings contain BPA.
• Do your research when buying products claiming to be BPA-free: Always do your diligent research when you buy a BPA-free product or if someone has gifted you a BPA-free product. Look out for the name of the material that has replaced the BPA in making the product. The manufacturer should mention the name of the material this product is made up of and then buy or use the BPA-free product. 

In conclusion, BPA and BPs analogues can be dangerous to your health. It’s crucial to be aware of the risks and to avoid all plastic products if you’re concerned about BPA and BPs exposure. If you believe you may have been exposed to BPA and BPs, be sure to seek medical attention immediately.

Key Takeaways:-

• BPA & BPs can be dangerous to your health. It’s essential to be informed about the risks.
• BPA & BPs have been linked to various health problems, including reproductive and cancer.
• BPA-free plastic is not necessarily safe. Some BPA-free plastics may be more harmful than BPA itself.
• If you’re concerned about BPA & BPs and their effects on your health, it’s best to avoid all plastic products altogether.
• If you think you may have been exposed to BPA & BPs, be sure to seek medical attention immediately.

Did this article leave you with any questions or concerns? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below! If you are interested in reading more topics related to your health and wellbeing, then read these:

If you have any queries, write to us.