–          BPA is a synthetic monomer that has been associated with disrupting the normal function of the endocrine system.

 

–          It is used in a wide variety of products (i.e. food containers, water bottles, metallic food cans etc) and it is produced in very high volumes.

 

–          Exposure to BPA is the result of various activities that require the use of products that contain it.

 

–          Identifying the possible adverse health effects linked with exposures to BPA regulatory authorities have banned BPA from products used for feeding infants in the EU. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is expected to complete a full risk assessment of BPA by the end of 2014.

 

–          Consumer products with BPA: plastic water bottles, canned foods, medical devices, and baby bottles.

 

 

 

Sources/Links:

 

Sonnenschein, C. and Soto, A. M. 1998. An updated review of environmental estrogen and androgen mimics and antagonists. The Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology, 65 (1), pp. 143-150.

 

Vandenberg, L. N., Hauser, R., Marcus, M., Olea, N. and Welshons, W. V. 2007. Human exposure to bisphenol A (BPA). Reproductive Toxicology, 24 (2), pp. 139-177.

 

Vandenberg, L. N., Maffini, M. V., Sonnenschein, C., Rubin, B. S. and Soto, A. M. 2009. Bisphenol-A and the great divide: a review of controversies in the field of endocrine disruption. Endocrine Reviews, 30 (1), pp. 75-95.

 

EFSA: http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/topics/topic/bisphenol.htm, http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/press/news/140409a.htm

 

FDA: http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/PublicHealthFocus/ucm064437.htm, http://www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/FoodAdditivesIngredients/ucm355155.htm