Study finds more cause for concern over bisphenol A in plastic bottles, containers

Like many parents, I've been schooled in the ABCs of BPA this year.

I've learned that bisphenol A (BPA for short) is found in many plastic baby bottles and sippy cups, as well as metal cans and hard-plastic food containers and water bottles. I've read about lab findings that BPA can leach out of plastic baby bottles into milk. And I've heard reports suggesting that this chemical, which mimics the hormone estrogen in the body, may be linked to higher rates of cancer, diabetes, reproductive abnormalities, and other health problems in adults and children. Some experts think that infants and unborn babies might be at particular risk because of their developing brains and bodies.

But much of the research on BPA so far has come from studies on animals and in the laboratory. Now the first major study has been published looking into possible health effects in people. Its results are far from reassuring.

Researchers measured the levels of BPA in the urine of 1,455 adults. Participants were also asked about their health and whether they'd been diagnosed with any medical conditions. The results showed that people with higher concentrations of BPA in their urine were more likely to have heart problems or type 2 diabetes. They also had a higher chance of having chemical changes in their body, suggesting that their livers might not be working as well as they should.

The study was well done and the researchers adjusted their results to account for other things that might have affected people's health, like their weight and whether they smoked. But this type of research is not without limitations. It can't prove whether or not BPA actually caused people's diabetes or heart problems. There could be other factors at work. For example, it could be that people end up with higher levels of BPA if they drink lots of canned, sugary drinks. So, it could be an unhealthy diet that caused their heart problems or diabetes, rather than BPA.

Even so, the study does suggest that BPA may not be safe, even at relatively low doses. The researchers say there should be more research to get a clearer picture of the risks.

The study didn't look at how BPA got into people's bodies. BPA is used in hundreds of products, ranging from compact disks to "carbonless" paper receipts to car headlights. Because BPA is so widespread (2 million tons manufactured annually), you can absorb it from drinking water, by breathing household dust or even through your skin.

What you need to know. It's difficult to know how much to worry about a study like this. There seems to be a link between BPA and some long-term health problems, but we need more research before we know for sure. In the meantime, it's natural to want to reduce possible risks if you can. For tips on what you can do to limit your family's exposure to BPA, see the Consumer Reports Safety blog.

—Sophie Ramsey, Patient editor, BMJ Group

ConsumerReportsHealth.org has partnered with The BMJ Group to monitor the latest medical research and assess the evidence to help you decide which news you should use.

Comments

[Betty]

Is it safe to keep a case of bottled water (in plastic bottles) in the trunk of a car? Will the temperature variation cause chemicals to leach into the water?

[Tom]

I noticed BPA is a major ingredient in the epoxy I use. I will now wear gloves.

[Larry G]

Part of my comfort level is affected by the knowledge that apparently the EU countries and Canada (and perhaps other countries) have different protocols for establishing safe use of chemicals.

I, for one, would appreciate a lay persons explanation of the differences - and the why behind them - from Consumers Reports.

How about it?