Bisphenol A:Endocrine Disrupter

Bisphenol A: Endocrine Disruptor

Current estimates indicate that more than 8 billion pounds of Bisphenol As are produced annually and approximately each year 100 tons can be discharged into the atmosphere (Rubin, 2011). Bisphenol A (BPA) is a manufactured chemical that is pervasive in our environment and has been used commercially since the 1950s (Layton, 2009). BPA is present in many of the daily things that human beings are in contact with but are unaware of the chemicals that consist in these products and the harm it does to us. It is visible in multiple consumer products such as plastic bottles, paper receipts, wine bottles, toilet paper, baby bottles, canned goods, eyeglasses and compact discs (Rubin, 2011). So why has BPA come into such discussion in the past few years. Since this chemical consists in many of the daily products that we use, it is found to be within us as well. In a recent federal study in the United States it revealed that BPA was found in the urine of 93 percent of the US population. Research has shown that BPA imitates the hormone estrogen and may disrupt the endocrine system. Hence, BPA is also known as an endocrine disrupter. It can increase the risk of infertility, reduce sperm count, and hinder brain development, prostate and breast cancer, early onset female puberty, diabetes and obesity (Layton, 2009). Overall, this chemical disrupts the hormones and is seen to hinder the reproductive system the most. Furthermore, public health advocates say that BPA poses a particular threat to fetuses, infants and children because BPA can impede with cell function when the body is still developing (Layton, 2009). Much of the BPA research has been conducted on animals where the very symptoms mentioned above have been revealed such as low fertility rate.

However, there have been a few human based research that have indicated the health impact from Bisphenol A exposure. In a recent cohort study in China was conducted to determine whether urine bisphenol-A levels are associated with lower semen quality. The study tested four regions of China, where high exposure to BPA in the workplace existed. In a factory, 218 men with and without BPA exposure in the workplace were interviewed for the study and all the participants were asked to provide both urine and semen specimens. Further individuals were personally asked to provide information on demographic characteristics and occupational history also on potential risk factors that might influence semen quality such as smoking, alcohol use, chronic disease, history of subfertility and exposure to other chemicals and heavy metals. The results of this study showed exposure to high BPA level has an adverse effect on semen quality amongst adult human population. In addition, this association demonstrated a “dose-response relationship between increasing urine BPA level and reduction in semen quality among those with low environmental BPA exposure levels”(Li et. al, 2011) and those with high BPA exposure levels from the factory. These findings have an important implication for the public and regulatory agencies. This kind of association in the human population had not been identified before even though there have been results from animal studies that provide support for “the underlying biological plausibility of the observed association” (Li et al, 2011). Therefore, this study reveals that BPA has a negative impact on a man’s reproductive system and further proves the point that BPA is a chemical harmful to human’s body.

In the United States, BPA has become a major health concern and various environmentalists have demanded banning this chemical from major consumer products such as baby bottles. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has started taking reasonable steps to reduce human exposure in the food supply. In addition, knowledge about this chemical and its effects amongst consumers has put increasing pressure on manufactures and retailers. For example In 2008, Babies R Us (sells baby products) told supplier they would not carry baby bottles that contained BPA (Layton, 2009). However, the FDA has still concerns about the potential effects of BPA on the brain, behavior and prostate gland in fetuses, infants and young children. Therefore, further in-depth studies are being undertaken by the FDA to answer key questions and clarify doubts about the risks of BPA.

In this way, the potential health risks from BPA exposure are numerous and severe, but more research needs to be conducted on the human population to identify the exact health risks. One may think this kind of health risk is irrelevant in Nepal since we are not as advanced as the United States and do not lead their kind of lifestyle. However, we are becoming consumerism-based society and much of the urban population attempts to lead a western kind of lifestyle. Therefore, it is good to be aware of such health risks in a society that is evolving rapidly.

References:

Layton, L. (2009). No BPA for Baby Bottles in U.S. The Washington Post, A06.

Li, De-Kun et al. (2011). Urine bisphenol-A (BPA) level in relation to semen quality. Fertility and Sterility, 95(2), 625-630

Rubin, B.S. (2011). Bisphenol A: An endocrine disruptor with widespread exposure and multiple effects. Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 127, 27-34.