Bisohenol A (BPA) is one of the highest volume chemicals produced worldwide, with over six billion pounds produced each year. It was mainly used for the production of epoxy resins and polycarbonate plastics. Epoxy resins are commonly used as food-contact surface lacquer coatings and polycarbonate plastics are used in compact disk manufacturing,
household appliances, food packaging and plastic bottles among others.
The widespread occurrence of BPA in environment and food has been well documented. The main route of human exposure to BPA is through food intake and BPA has been detected in human urine, blood, milk and tissues, indicating that human exposure to BPA is extensive. Moreover, lab researches have found that BPA is a typical endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC), and human exposure to BPA has been reported to be associated with various adverse effects, such as metabolic and reproductive diseases.
There is increasing evidence suggesting that some endocrine disrupting chemicals can act as obesogens and interfere with body’s natural weight control mechanisms by disrupting adipose tissue biology, endocrine hormone systems, or central hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.
Children and adolescents are in rapid growth and are more susceptible to external disturbance compared with adults. Additionally, it has been reported that children are extensively exposed to BPA and exposure levels are even higher compared with adults.
The authors of this study concluded by saying …
In this study, we found that urine BPA concentration and daily BPA intake estimate were positively associated with BMI in Chinese school children.
This means that those with higher BPA concentrations had higher BMIs – they were fatter.
Use less plastics. Store your food in less plastics. Don’t microwave anything in plastic. Eat more unpackaged, natural foods by shopping the perimeter of your grocery store and staying mostly clear of the aisles.
I’ve written several articles before about BPA. You can read more of them by clicking here.
Source: Asian J Androl. 2012 Oct 8