If you've ever been warned to avoid food from cans and water from plastic bottles, it's likely due to concerns over a chemical called bisphenol A (BPA). Much of the concern began in 2008 when a CDC study showed that 92% of U.S. adults had signs of BPA in their urine. People began to question what BPA was, and how it got in their bodies.
There's been an ongoing debate about BPA's effects on health, with studies reporting mixed results. After a years-long study, the FDA concluded that the BPA levels you get in your diet pose no health risk. But some watchdog groups and scientists argue that some regulatory agencies might be going too easy on manufacturers and not standing up enough for public health.
"We can modify our behavior to reduce our exposures, so while I would not recommend "fear," I do think it's reasonable to be concerned," says R. Thomas Zoeller, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Biology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Zoeller's ongoing research includes the role of thyroid hormone in brain development, with a focus on the fetal brain, and how environmental factors interfere with thyroid hormone action.
Research on BPA is ongoing. In the meantime, learning about BPA safety in everyday products and its potential effects on your body can help you feel more in control and limit your contact with BPA if you wish to.
What Is BPA (Bisphenol A)?
Bisphenol A, more commonly known as BPA, is an industrial chemical that's been used since the 1950s to make polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. It often shows up in the hard, clear plastic of food containers and water bottles, as well as in the lining of some metal food and drink cans.
For a time, BPA was used in lots of products. But when concerns about BPA and plastic safety started making headlines, the FDA asked makers of baby bottles, sippy cups, and infant formula cans to stop using the chemical. So your baby items are likely BPA-free products.
Makers of many other water bottles and containers have voluntarily stopped using BPA as well. So, while you may have had many BPA products in your house a few decades ago, it's much less likely now. Still, BPA isn't a banned substance.
Where Is BPA Found?
Since it's been used to harden plastics for more than 40 years, BPA is everywhere. More than 90% of us have BPA in our bodies right now. Aside from getting it from products we use, it's also possible to absorb BPA through air, dust, and water.
Common products that have BPA
It's not only in some water bottles and cans but also in medical devices, compact discs (CDs), dental sealants, and many other products. Recent research has raised questions about whether BPA-free plastics, which tend to use similar chemicals called BPS and BPF, are really any safer.
Zoeller says even though the six main baby product companies don't use BPA, you should still be aware of other chemicals that might be in the plastics. "The fact is that some companies say their plastics are BPA-free, but they use another bisphenol," he says. "So, use glass wherever possible." He adds you can stay on the safe side with plastic breast pumps by not washing them in the dishwasher, and using mild soap to hand wash.
According to the U.S. Department of Health, toys generally don't contain BPA. While the hard outer shields of some pacifiers do have BPA, the nipple that the baby sucks on does not.
How Does BPA Get Into Your Body?
Most of the BPA you have in your body comes from the foods and drinks you consume. Bisphenol A can seep into what you eat or drink from canned goods, water, baby bottles, polycarbonate food storage containers, and plastic eating utensils. It can be passed on through breast milk, too.
The temperature of the liquids in polycarbonate bottles can also play a part, and matter more than the container's age.
Is BPA Harmful?
People became worried about the health effects of BPA after animal studies linked high levels of the chemical to infertility, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and high blood pressure. A few studies in people have found a correlation between BPA and a higher incidence of certain health problems, but no direct evidence that BPA caused the problem. Other studies oppose some of these results.
BPA Health Risks
Concerns remain about the effects BPA can have on the body, though. These include:
Hormone levels. Some experts believe that BPA could theoretically act like a hormone in the body, disrupting normal hormone levels and development in fetuses, babies, and children. Animal studies have had mixed results.
Brain and behavior problems. After a review of the evidence, the National Toxicology Program at the FDA expressed concern about BPA safety for children and babies, such as possible effects on their brains and behavior.
Cancer. Some animal studies have shown a possible link between BPA exposure and an increased risk of cancer later in life.
Heart problems. Two studies have found that adults with the highest levels of BPA in their bodies seem to have a higher incidence of heart problems. However, this link may not be directly related to BPA.
Other conditions. Some experts have looked into a connection between BPA exposure and many conditions — obesity, diabetes, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and others. The evidence isn't strong enough to show a link.
Although this list of possible BPA risks can be alarming, keep in mind that studies are ongoing and that results from studies on animals, not humans, have fueled much of the public's concerns so far.
Who's Most at Risk for BPA?
Some studies suggest that the possible effects of BPA could be most pronounced in babies and young children. Their bodies are still developing and are less efficient at getting rid of substances from their systems.
The Latest on BPA
Some organizations doubt that BPA poses a health risk at the doses most people are exposed to. In 2014, the FDA put some worries to rest as it completed a 4-year review of BPA, saying that BPA is safe at the levels currently found in your food.
The FDA says many recent studies downplay the risks of BPA to humans. For example, a lot of earlier research was done on the effects of the chemical on mice. But a more recent study suggests that people break down BPA in their bodies faster than mice, so the results from animal research might not apply to us.
Also, researchers found that your body converts BPA to an inactive form if you get it from food, unlike when it's injected directly, which is done in research animals.
Zoeller advises it's best to educate yourself as much as possible and be open to more than one channel of information. He likes the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) as solid sources but says not to stop there. "In general, I would recommend doing research across a fairly broad array of information sources," he says. "Don't just depend on one."
How to Limit BPA Exposure
For now, there are no restrictions on the use of BPA in products. The FDA does recommend taking "reasonable steps" to reduce human exposure to BPA in the food supply. The FDA has also expressed support for manufacturers making BPA-free products for babies, as well as for companies working to develop alternatives to BPA in canned foods.
Several states have taken action. Connecticut, Maryland, Minnesota, Washington, Wisconsin, and Vermont have laws restricting or banning the sale of certain products containing BPA, such as bottles and sippy cups. So have cities like Chicago and Albany, as well as a few counties in New York. Similar laws are expected in New York and California, and other states are considering restrictions as well.
You also can take steps on your own to help avoid BPA. Some include:
- Be aware of the products you use. "I think the most important thing is to reduce your use of plastics," says Zoeller. "It isn't possible to eliminate plastic, but try not to buy food in plastic, especially fatty foods like peanut butter, mayonnaise, and so on."
- Store leftovers in glass.
- Don't put the plastics you do need to use in the microwave or dishwasher. Heat can make them break down over time and release BPA.
- Find BPA-free products. It isn't as hard as it once was. Many brands of baby bottles, sippy cups, and other tableware prominently advertise their BPA-free status.
- Look for recycling codes on the bottom of food containers. Those with a 3 or 7 often (but not always) have BPA in them.
- Reduce your use of canned foods. Most can linings have BPA.
- Use glass, porcelain, or stainless steel containers, especially for hot food or liquids.
- Look for BPA-free infant formula. Many brands no longer contain BPA in the can. If a brand does have BPA in the lining, some experts suggest powdered formula over liquid. Liquid is more likely to absorb BPA from the lining.
Takeaways
Bisphenol A, also known as BPA, is a chemical compound that's been used to make plastic products, from storage containers to can linings, since the 1950s.
Studies on whether BPA is harmful to the human body have been mixed, though the FDA has mandated that baby products no longer be made with bisphenol A.
Despite reports that BPA isn't harmful, some experts persist that it can disrupt hormone levels and cause other health problems. Either way, it's become easier to avoid products that might contain BPA, such as cutting down the use of canned foods and using glass or steel containers instead of plastic.
BPA FAQs
What are common sources of BPA?
BPA is often used in making water bottles, cans, plastic storage containers, medical devices, CDs, dental sealants, and more. You're most likely to get it into your body by drinking water from BPA bottles and eating canned food, where BPA is often in the lining.
How does BPA affect children compared to adults?
Some studies suggest infants and young children are most at risk for BPA's negative effects, as their developing bodies don't filter substances as well as adults.
Are BPA-free products completely safe?
The evidence on BPA's health effects has been unclear, making it difficult to justify a ban. Still, health concerns remain, so some people find it safer to avoid products that have it.
What are the latest studies on BPA safety?
In 2014, the FDA wrapped up a four-year study on BPA safety, finding the levels that leach from some products aren't enough to cause health problems.
How can I identify plastics that contain BPA?
Recycling codes on the bottom of food containers that have BPA in them include a 3 or 7. Baby products, such as bottles and sippy cups, tend to prominently display the lack of BPA.