Latest news with #bisphenolA
The Independent
01-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
The EU has banned BPAs in all food contact materials. Here's why
The European Union has banned the use of bisphenol A (BPA). This came into effect with Regulation 2024/3190 in late 2024, but it took over 20 years of scientific study to cut out this silent toxin. BPA slowly enters our bodies at low concentrations, meaning its health effects are not usually discovered until they are serious. Bisphenol A, or BPA, is an organic compound consisting of two phenolic rings (hence 'bi' and 'phenol') joined at the centre to a symmetrical propane molecule. It is mainly used in epoxy (a type of polymer), as well as certain other plastics and some polycarbonates. Its job is to harden plastic material, prevent bacteria from contaminating food, and prevent cans from rusting. However, its uncontrolled and excessive use in packaging has placed it on a long list of compounds that have gone from champions of progress to case studies in environmental harm. Other banned compounds include: Dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT), a component of most insecticides manufactured during the 20th century that has also been used in the control of diseases such as malaria, yellow fever and typhoid. It was found to accumulate in food chains, and its production, use, storage and trade were banned worldwide at the end of the 20th century. Freon, the most widespread of the chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) that were widely used as refrigerants in the second half of the 20th century. The work of researchers Mario Molina and Frank Sherwood Rowland – which was published in Nature in 1974 and won them a Nobel Prize in 1995 – demonstrated how CFCs were destroying the ozone layer. Their study was instrumental in the signing of the 1987 Montreal Protocol to limit their production and use. Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), mainly used as an insecticide to combat pests in agriculture. Today, its toxicity has been proven and its use is strictly limited in the EU. It is completely banned in some countries because of its persistent presence in soils. BPA has the peculiarity of mimicking the structure of natural oestrogens, meaning it is an endocrine disruptor. Since the turn of the century, the recommended intake of BPA has been drastically reduced. In 2006, the European Food Safety Authority proposed a limit of 0.05 milligrams per kilo of body weight per day. This has been gradually reduced, and in the latest report in 2023, it was 0.2 nanograms/kg bw/day – a 250,000-fold reduction. BPA in the environment Wastewater treatment plants consist of different treatments for the elimination of organic matter. The tertiary, or post-treatment, stages (ozonisation, ultraviolet, and so on) are designed to eliminate compounds that conventional biological treatments are not capable of breaking down. BPA requires specific treatment to prevent it from being discharged into rivers, where it can harm wildlife. Various physical, chemical and biological systems are capable of removing up to 95 per cent of the BPA present in wastewater. However, their installation will increase the overall cost of treatment. Environmental legislation One of the first countries to legislate on the use of BPA was Sweden, following controversy over its use in baby bottle teats. In July 2012, Sweden approved a ban on the use of BPA in varnishes and coatings used in food packaging for children under the age of three. On 19 December 2024, Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/3190 was published. It is entitled 'on the use of bisphenol A (BPA) and other bisphenols and bisphenol derivatives in certain materials and articles intended to come into contact with food', and entered into force on 20 January 2025. Its main guidelines are as follows: The use of BPA and its salts is prohibited in the manufacture of materials and articles intended to come into contact with food, as is the placing on the EU market of materials and articles intended to come into contact with food which are manufactured using BPA. Transition periods (between 18 and 36 months, depending on the product) are established for the law's application, in particular for single-use food contact articles and for reusable food contact articles. The attitude is one of 'better safe than sorry'. This preventative environmental legislation, based on scientific data, will reduce impacts on people and the environment and, undoubtedly, also reduce the economic costs of restoring ecosystems and health. Gumersindo Feijoo Costa, Catedrático de Ingeniería Química. Centro de Excelencia CRETUS de la Red CiGUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela.
Indian Express
01-05-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Why you must never drink water from that plastic bottle lying in the car
After sipping water, many of us tend to leave plastic water bottles inside our cars. But this common practice can wreak havoc on your health and is 'risky,' say experts. Plastic bottles left in a hot car can potentially harm one's health because of chemical leaching, especially when the plastic is subjected to high temperatures. Health risks 'Leaving plastic water bottles inside cars under the scorching sun is a common habit and can be risky. When plastic bottles are exposed to high temperatures, mainly inside closed vehicles, they may carry harmful chemicals like Bisphenol A (BPA) and Antimony into the water. These substances lead to hormonal imbalance and raise the risk of cancer over prolonged exposure,' said Dr Manjusha Agarwal, senior consultant, internal medicine, Gleneagles Hospital Parel Mumbai. The majority of plastic bottles contain polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which, under heat stress, will leach dangerous chemicals such as antimony and bisphenol A (BPA) into the water,' added Dr Rituja Ugalmugle, internal medicine, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumbai Central. Even at low doses, repeated exposures may underlie long-term health effects, asserted Dr Ugalmugle. 'BPA is one example, an endocrine disruptor with the potential to compromise hormone function, potentially affecting metabolism and cardiovascular status and enhancing the risk of insulin resistance. Antimony, a metalloid, has been implicated in some research as causing gastrointestinal irritation as well as even organ toxicity with long-term exposure,' said Dr Ugalmugle. Here's what you should consider (/Thinkstock) Moreover, heating can also release microplastics, which may enter the body and accumulate in organs, causing inflammation or other long-term issues, said Dr Agarwal. What to note? It's important to remember that most plastic bottles are meant for single use and are not designed to withstand repeated heat exposure. 'Hence, avoid drinking water from bottles left in hot environments for your health and safety. Replace those plastic bottles with stainless steel or glass bottles, which are safer alternatives and better for the environment and your health. Try to carry a bottle from your home to avoid drinking water from plastic bottles. Be mindful and avoid plastic usage,' said Dr Agarwal.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
The EU has banned BPAs: here's what you need to know about this common, toxic compound
The European Union has banned the use of bisphenol A (BPA). This came into effect with Regulation 2024/3190 in late 2024, but it took over 20 years of scientific study to cut out this silent toxin. BPA slowly enters our bodies at low concentrations, meaning its health effects are not usually discovered until they are serious. Bisphenol A, or BPA, is an organic compound consisting of two phenolic rings (hence 'bi' and 'phenol') joined at the centre to a symmetrical propane molecule. It is mainly used in epoxy (a type of polymer), as well as certain other plastics and some polycarbonates. Its job is to harden plastic material, prevent bacteria from contaminating food, and prevent cans from rusting. However, its uncontrolled and excessive use in packaging has placed it on a long list of compounds that have gone from champions of progress to case studies in environmental harm. Other banned compounds include: Dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (), a component of most insecticides manufactured during the 20th century that has also been used in the control of diseases such as malaria, yellow fever and typhoid. It was found to accumulate in food chains, and its production, use, storage and trade was banned worldwide at the end of the 20th century. , the most widespread of the chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) that were widely used as refrigerants in the second half of the 20th century. The work of researchers Mario Molina and Frank Sherwood Rowland – which was published in Nature in 1974 and won them a Nobel Prize in 1995 – demonstrated how CFCs were destroying the ozone layer. Their study was instrumental in the signing of the 1987 Montreal Protocol to limit their production and use. Hexachlorocyclohexane (), mainly used as an insecticide to combat pests in agriculture. Today, its toxicity has been proven and its use is strictly limited in the EU. It is completely banned in some countries because of its persistent presence in soils. BPA has the peculiarity of mimicking the structure of natural oestrogens, meaning it is an endocrine disruptor. Since the turn of the century, the recommended intake of BPA has been drastically reduced. In 2006 the European Food Safety Authority proposed a limit of 0.05 milligrams per kilo of body weight per day. This has been gradually reduced, and in the latest report in 2023 it was 0.2 nanograms/kg bw/day – a 250,000-fold reduction. Wastewater treatment plants consist of different treatments for the elimination of organic matter. The tertiary, or post-treatment, stages (ozonisation, ultraviolet, and so on) are designed to eliminate compounds that conventional biological treatments are not capable of breaking down. BPA requires specific treatment to prevent it from being discharged into rivers, where it can harm wildlife. Various physical, chemical and biological systems are capable of removing up to 95 % of the BPA present in wastewater. However, their installation will increase the overall cost of treatment. One of the first countries to legislate on the use of BPA was Sweden, following controversy over its use in baby bottle teats. In July 2012, Sweden approved a ban on the use of BPA in varnishes and coatings used in food packaging for children under the age of three. Leer más: On 19 December 2024, Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/3190 was published. It is entitled 'on the use of bisphenol A (BPA) and other bisphenols and bisphenol derivatives in certain materials and articles intended to come into contact with food', and entered into force on 20 January 2025. Its main guidelines are as follows: The use of BPA and its salts is prohibited in the manufacture of materials and articles intended to come into contact with food, as is the placing on the EU market of materials and articles intended to come into contact with food which are manufactured using BPA. Transition periods (between 18 and 36 months, depending on the product) are established for the law's application, in particular for single-use food contact articles and for reusable food contact articles. The attitude is one of 'better safe than sorry'. This preventative environmental legislation based on scientific data will reduce impacts on people and the environment and, undoubtedly, also reduce the economic costs of restoring ecosystems and health. Este artículo fue publicado originalmente en The Conversation, un sitio de noticias sin fines de lucro dedicado a compartir ideas de expertos académicos. Lee mas: Popcorn lung: how vaping can scar your lungs for life Silent fields: a cocktail of pesticides is stunting bumblebee colonies across Europe, study shows Brown rice contains more arsenic than white rice – but here's why you shouldn't worry Gumersindo Feijoo Costa no recibe salario, ni ejerce labores de consultoría, ni posee acciones, ni recibe financiación de ninguna compañía u organización que pueda obtener beneficio de este artículo, y ha declarado carecer de vínculos relevantes más allá del cargo académico citado.
News18
21-04-2025
- Health
- News18
Microplastics Found In Human Ovaries For The First Time
Last Updated: April 21, 2025, 14:14 IST 'We are at the beginning of understanding how microplastics affect female reproductive health," said Professor Luigi Montano, lead author of the study and a researcher at the University of Rome. What we've found is both concerning and deeply consequential. The potential implications for fertility, hormonal health, and long-term reproductive outcomes in women cannot be overstated, he said. Plastic is ubiquitous – from water bottles and food packaging to textiles and aircraft components. Its convenience and durability have made it indispensable, but these very properties allow it to persist in the environment, eventually breaking down into microscopic fragments known as microplastics. These particles, less than 5 millimetres in diametre, have already been detected in human organs such as the lungs, heart, liver, and even the brain. But until now, the female reproductive system had remained relatively unexplored territory. Microplastics can enter the human body through ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact. Once inside, they can travel through the bloodstream and embed themselves in vital tissues. According to a Times of India report, these particles can act as carriers for a host of toxic chemicals, such as bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are known endocrine disruptors. Montano likened microplastics to a 'Trojan horse", silently delivering toxic payloads to critical systems of the body, including the ovaries. Advertisement The detection of microplastics in the follicular fluid raises urgent questions about their role in female reproductive disorders. Follicular fluid not only supplies nutrients to the maturing egg but also helps regulate the hormonal signals required for successful ovulation and fertilisation. Any disruption in this process could hinder egg development, lower the chances of conception, and increase the risk of infertility. Animal studies have already linked microplastics to ovarian dysfunction, reduced egg maturation, and altered ovarian tissue structure. In humans, the hormonal disruption caused by plastic-associated chemicals could contribute to conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), irregular menstrual cycles, thyroid disorders, and reduced fertility. Montano's research forms part of a broader investigation into the effects of plastic pollution on human reproduction. His team has previously found microplastics in human urine and semen. These findings have strengthened concerns over a sharp global decline in sperm quality over the past eight decades. While male fertility issues have been widely studied, this new research underscores that women are equally at risk. According to data cited by TOI, semen concentration among men has plummeted from 113 million/ml in 1940 to just 66 million/ml in 1990. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has adjusted its own reference values downward over time, from 60 million/ml in 1980 to 15 million/ml in its latest 2021 guidelines. This downward trend parallels the rise of industrial plastic production and environmental plastic pollution. But the threat does not end with fertility. Scientists warn that microplastics may cause chronic inflammation, immune system dysregulation, and hormonal imbalances that extend beyond reproductive health. There is growing concern about the long-term risks to pregnant women and fetuses, as microplastics may cross the placental barrier, leading to developmental complications such as low birth weight or neurodevelopmental delays.
The Guardian
14-04-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
High levels of toxic chemicals found in paper receipts used by US retailers
Paper receipts from major retailers in the US are so laden with bisphenol S that holding one for 10 seconds can cause the skin to absorb enough of the highly toxic chemical to violate California's safety threshold, new research has found. The findings are being used as evidence in legal action aimed at pressuring retailers to stop using receipt paper treated with bisphenol S, or BPS, which is linked to cancer and reproductive problems. The Center for Environmental Health (CEH) non-profit has sent violation notices to about 50 major retailers alerting them to the exceedance of California's Proposition 65 limits for BPS. Among the companies to which notices were sent for the allegedly illegal levels of BPS in their receipts are Burger King, Chanel, Dollar General, AMC Theaters, GameStop, Subway, Foot Locker and Ace Hardware. '[The findings were] really eye-opening for us,' Mihir Vohra, science lead at the CEH, said. 'They really speak to just how high the concentrations of BPS are in these receipts.' Bisphenol is a class of chemicals used in a wide range of consumer products, such as food packaging, fabrics, toys and cookware. Regulators have largely focused on bisphenol A (BPA), which is banned in Europe for food uses because it is so toxic. Many companies have phased out BPA's use and food companies often advertise when their packaging is BPA free. But recent research has found BPS, the alternative largely used in place of BPA, to be just as toxic. It's linked to hormone disruption, cognitive damage, decreased sperm count, breast cancer and other health issues. Previous research has found it can be absorbed by the skin, and CEH's new study shows how high the risk is just for brief exposures while holding a receipt. The findings are particularly concerning for cashiers and people working in retail who may handle many receipts throughout the day. The CEH also noted that people in restaurants often hold receipts for a long period of time while looking at a bill or waiting for service. The chemicals are added as a coating to thermal paper to help ink develop. Some alternatives exist, but many are also toxic, and the non-profit is urging companies to use something safe to avoid 'playing Whac-a-Mole' with dangerous chemicals, said Kizzy Charles-Guzman, the CEH's executive director. Some paper is treated with vitamin C, but the receipts aren't as bright. The violation notices give companies 60 days to respond. They will either have to switch to paper that does not include BPS or affix a warning to the products. That could potentially include a sign near a cash register that alerts consumers to the receipts' toxicity. If companies don't respond within 60 days, the CEH can sue in California state court under Proposition 65 and ask a judge to order companies to use an alternative or provide a warning. People can protect themselves by not taking a receipt or asking for an email receipt.
