Why is bpa harmful

Bispehnol A is a common industrial chemical used in the production of plastics. Research has demonstrated BPA can seep into the food or liquid stored in it. It has been found in the urine of nearly every American.

BPA is known to disrupt the endocrine system in the body. It mimics the effects of estrogen and disrupts normal hormone function. The U. More than a decade of studies have linked BPA to such disorders as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and obesity in children and adults. Other conditions associated with high levels of BPA in the body include low birth weight in infants, fetal abnormalities, asthma, and possibly sexual dysfunction in men.

It found people who had higher levels of BPA in their urine were about 49 percent more likely to die over a year period. They looked at 3, volunteers in the U. Ten years later, of the participants had died, including 71 from cardiovascular disease and 75 from cancer. Those with higher levels of BPA showed a higher risk of death from any cause than those with lower levels.

In addition, the study found 90 percent of the urine samples researchers tested contain traces of BPA. The BPA in thermal receipts is especially concerning these days, because so many people are using hand sanitizer when they go to the store, he added.

Of course, this latest study was observational, meaning the results were obtained by observing behavior and not in a controlled trial. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version.

See more conditions. Request Appointment. Healthy Lifestyle Nutrition and healthy eating. Products and services. Answer From Brent A. With Brent A. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Accessed Jan. Questions and answers on bisphenol A BPA use in food contact applications.

Food and Drug Administration. Hall JM, et al. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Goldman RH, et al. Occupational and environmental risks to reproduction in females: Specific exposures and impact. Accessed March 3, Trasande L, et al. BPA is a commonly used chemical. People experience frequent exposure to very small amounts of BPA through food, drinks, and water supplies, because small amounts may migrate from food packaging.

In this article, we discuss what BPA is, what its sources are, and what impact it might have on human health. BPA is an endocrine disruptor. For example, it can behave in a similar way to estrogen and other hormones in the human body. According to the NIEHS , there is limited research to show how endocrine disruptors affect humans, but some research has found they can harm animals. However, even a small amount may have developmental and biological impacts, because the balance of hormones is so sensitive.

In , scientists published study findings showing that BPA exposure can affect egg maturation in humans. A review found evidence that BPA can interfere with endocrine function involving the hypothalamus and pituitary gland.

The researchers suggest that this type of action can affect puberty and ovulation and may lead to infertility. The findings indicate that high level exposure may increase the risk of erectile dysfunction and problems with sexual desire and ejaculation.

Research in humans has linked even low dose BPA exposure to cardiovascular problems, including coronary artery heart disease, angina , heart attack , hypertension , and peripheral artery disease. Findings from animal studies indicate this type of exposure could trigger arrhythmias , atherosclerosis , and blood pressure changes. There is evidence that human exposure to BPA may contribute to :. Tests in animals have shown that BPA may aggravate or raise the risk of:.

Environmental exposure to BPA has the potential to affect the developing brain during gestation, according to research. The impact includes changes in structural development, interference with estrogen regulation, and DNA modifications. This could have effects on social behavior and anxiety after birth, says one study.

Scientists believe BPA, with its estrogen-like behavior, could increase the risk of breast , prostate , and other cancers in people who experienced exposure to the chemical in the womb. In , a group of researchers concluded that exposure to BPA before birth could have long-term effects on carcinogenesis in certain organs. This in turn could lead to the development of hormone-related cancers.