As "BPA-free" becomes a common label on various consumer products, concerns rise about the safety of BPA substitutes used in plastics.
Sharon Guynup reports for National Geographic.
In short:
- Despite efforts to avoid BPA in consumer products, manufacturers use similar chemicals that may pose equivalent health risks.
- Studies suggest these substitutes, like BPA, could disrupt hormone functions and contribute to serious health issues.
- Regulatory agencies have differing views on BPA safety, with some tightening restrictions based on new research findings.
Key quote:
"What was not really known at the time was that they were replacing BPA with BPS."
— Laura Vandenberg, endocrinologist at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Why this matters:
Alternatives to BPA can interfere with the body's endocrine system, potentially leading to health concerns such as effects on reproductive systems, brain development, and the risk of obesity and heart disease. The environmental impact of these alternatives is also under scrutiny; they are persistent in ecosystems, raising concerns about their accumulation and effects on wildlife and human health.
Research indicates that everyone is likely overexposed to BPA. For example, if you're using plastic, you're likely above acceptable health safety levels.
Be sure to read: How is BPA bad for my health?
