2014-01-02 11:48:14
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a man-made chemical used in the production of polycarbonate water bottles, epoxy-lined metal cans and is even found in dental sealants. This toxic substance has known endocrine disrupting effects, which in general terms means that it can act like the body’s own hormones. In 2008 Health Canada seemed to have acknowledged it as being a health issue, particularly in the young, and banned it from plastic baby bottles; however efforts seem to have stopped there. In June 2009 Health Canada completed and published a study that found trace levels of BPA still present in most the commonly used plastic baby bottles and liners, even though they were labeled as being BPA free!(1) They justify this by saying levels were in trace amounts and as such do not pose a health risk. Another government resource however admits that safe levels of BPA exposure are unknown, and that the level associated with adverse health effects in humans is as yet unknown.(2) This disturbing contradiction raises concerns about this latest finding of BPA still present in many common products.
The most recent research presented at the joint meeting of the International Federation of Fertility Societies and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine showcased several studies that suggest harmful effects from BPA on human health. One study looking at a group of pregnant women found that those that had a miscarriage in the first trimester had higher BPA levels at the start of the study compared to those that had live births.(3) Another study found that high BPA levels in the follicular fluid may be a potential cause of hyperandrogenism in PCOS patients.(4) Other associated health implications include: impaired neuropsychological function in children,(5) and heart disease and diabetes to name a just a few. BPA and other similar endocrine disruptors in our environment are a real threat to our health that deserves to be addressed. France, for example, has taken the initiative to ban BPA from all forms of food packaging. It’s time Canada stepped up to the plate.
References
1. Government of Canada [homepage on the internet]. Canada: Chemical Substances; [updated 2010 Feb 26; cited 2013 Nov 19]. Health Canada’s Study of Baby Bottles; Available from: http://www.chemicalsubstanceschimiques.gc.ca/challenge-defi/batch-lot-2/bisphenol-a/study_babybottles-etude_bebe-eng.php#tab1
2. Government of Canada [homepage on the internet]. Canada: Statistics Canada; [updated 2013 April 17; cited 2013 Nov 19]. Bisphenol A concentrations in Canadians, 2009 to 2011; Available from: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/82-625-x/2013001/article/11778-eng.htm
3. Lathi RB et al. Maternal Serum Bisphenol-A (BPA) Level Is Positively Associated with Miscarriage Risk. Abstract presented at the Conjoint Meeting of the International Federation of Fertility Societies and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine Abstracts; 12-17 October 2013 Boston, MA.
4. Pan J-X., Wang F-F, Liu Y, Meng Q, Sheng J.-Z, Huang H-F. Bisphenol a (BPA) induces abnormal androgen accumulation via androgen-androgen receptor (AR) mediated cyp19a1 transcription inhibition in granulosa cells (GCs). Abstract presented at the Conjoint Meeting of the International Federation of Fertility Societies and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine Abstracts; 12-17 October 2013. Boston, MA.
5. Maserejian NN, Trachtenberg FL, Hauser R, McKinlay S, Shrader P, Tavares M, et al. Dental composite restorations and psychosocial function in children. Pediatrics. 2012; 130(2): e328-e338.