by Kathy Wiemers
You probably heard about BPA (Bisphenol A) and stopped using plastic containers with BPA. Plastic containers are not the only source of BPA. BPA is also in thermal printed receipts. Bisphenol S (BPS) is sometimes used as a substitute for BPA, but it has very similar effect in the body.
History
BPA was developed in the 1930s and is presently used in the manufacture of many polycarbonate plastic containers, including baby bottles and reusable water bottles, dental sealants, metallic food cans, paper, and cardboard items.(1) Everyone assumed BPA was harmless and demand for these sturdy, reusable plastic products has increased.(2) BPA manufacturing has increased to meet the demand, and production exceeds 8 billion pounds each year.(3) BPA is stable in sediment and detectable in almost all bodies of water.(4) Human and animal contact with BPA can occur through various sources. More than 90% of people in the USA have measurable levels of BPA,(5) and it is likely that the world population has similar levels of BPA.(6)
Chemistry
Both compounds are endocrine disruptors. There is far more research on BPA than BPS, but both act as weak estrogens. BPA and BPS have similar structures to estradiol. Other molecules that interact with estradiol can interact with BPA and BPS.
History
BPA was developed in the 1930s and is presently used in the manufacture of many polycarbonate plastic containers, including baby bottles and reusable water bottles, dental sealants, metallic food cans, paper, and cardboard items.(1) Everyone assumed BPA was harmless and demand for these sturdy, reusable plastic products has increased.(2) BPA manufacturing has increased to meet the demand, and production exceeds 8 billion pounds each year.(3) BPA is stable in sediment and detectable in almost all bodies of water.(4) Human and animal contact with BPA can occur through various sources. More than 90% of people in the USA have measurable levels of BPA,(5) and it is likely that the world population has similar levels of BPA.(6)
Chemistry
Both compounds are endocrine disruptors. There is far more research on BPA than BPS, but both act as weak estrogens. BPA and BPS have similar structures to estradiol. Other molecules that interact with estradiol can interact with BPA and BPS.
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Bisphenol-S (BPS) |
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