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Plastics that May Be Harmful to Children and Reproductive Health

Bisphenol A Introduction

Bisphenol A (BPA) is the molecular building block for polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. U.S. production of BPA grew rapidly from 16 million pounds in 1991 to about 2.3 billion pounds in 2004, making it one of the most produced chemicals in the world.

There are many sources of human exposure to BPA, predominantly because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permits its use in food and beverage packaging, including the interior coating of metal cans and polycarbonate beverage containers including baby bottles. The FDA also permits BPA to be used for dental sealants and other medical devices. The dominant corporations that produce BPA are identified by the National Toxicology Program.

Most BPA-containing plastic products are not recycled and end up in the solid waste stream. BPA is commonly detected in landfill leachate and it is now one of the most frequently detected industrial chemicals in groundwater.It is also often found in surface water, sewage effluents, sludge, and treated wastewater discharge. Its presence in sewage effluent means that it is released to rivers and lakes, where it becomes available to aquatic species, including many different species of fish.

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en Español: Recomendaciones

Resulting Legislation

• Public Act No. 09-103 An Act Concerning Banning Bisphenol-A in Children's Products and Food Products

Report Navigation

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• > Bisphenol A
          Introduction
          Summary
          Health Effects
          Human Exposures
• > Phthalates
          Introduction
          Summary
          Health Effects
          Exposures

Related Links

• > Yale study details how and why of BPA’s dangers
• > National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals
• > Studies on Chemical In Plastics Questioned
• > EPA Integrated Risk Information System - Bisphenol A
• > A Survey of Bisphenol A in U.S. Canned Foods
• > Bottled Water Pure Drink or Pure Hype?
• > Phthalates: TEACH Chemical Summary U.S. EPA, Toxicity and Exposure Assessment for Children’s Health