PDF version

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an industrial chemical used primarily to make polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins.  Polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins are used in a wide variety of consumer products. Exposure to BPA can come from polycarbonate (PC) plastic used in products such as infant feeding bottles, tableware and refillable water bottles and epoxy resins used as a protective coating on the interior of metal cans for foods and beverages and also for coating of metal lids for glass jars and bottles.  Ready-to-use concentrate and powdered infant formula cans are lined with epoxy resins.

Polycarbonate plastic is the only plastic that contains bisphenol A. Bottles marked with the number 7 enclosed in a triangle recycling symbol and bearing the letters PC are made with polycarbonate plastic, and thus contain BPA.
                                                       

While this symbol is used for polycarbonate plastics, it may also be used for other types of plastic.  A product showing this symbol therefore does not necessarily mean it is made with polycarbonate plastic. Contact the manufacturer of the plastic bottle for clarification.

Health Concerns

Several scientific studies have linked BPA exposure to harmful effects on the endocrine (hormone) system.  BPA is considered a xenoestrogen, meaning that it can mimic the effects of the hormone estrogen in the body.  Several studies have linked BPA exposure to an increased incidence of breast cancer, prostate cancer, infertility, hyperactivity disorders and type II diabetes. Many of these studies were in vitro, meaning they were not conducted on animals (in vivo), but rather using artificial systems or isolated cells.  Findings from in vitro studies can be difficult to interpret.

While some animal studies (in vivo) have linked exposure to BPA with negative health effects, it is difficult to determine if these studies are relevant in terms of human exposure. 

Canada

Health Canada’s draft screening assessment on bisphenol A indicated that most Canadians are exposed to very low levels of bisphenol A and that it does not pose a significant health risk.

Studies have demonstrated that newborns and infants up to 18 months of age are exposed to bisphenol A through the use of polycarbonate baby bottles when these bottles are heated to high temperatures and through the migration of bisphenol A from cans into infant formula. Due to the potential health effects, the Government of Canada has announced on October 17, 2008 to “immediately proceed with drafting regulations to prohibit the importation, sale and advertising of polycarbonate baby bottles that contain bisphenol A (BPA).  The Government will also take action to limit the amount of bisphenol A that is being released into the environment.” The Canadian government is also developing stringent migration targets for bisphenol A in infant formula.

Internationally

The US National Toxicology Program (NTP), Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction (CERHR) published a report in November 2007 on the reproductive and developmental toxicity of bisphenol A. The report found that there is some concern for neural and behavioural effects in foetuses, infants, and children at current human exposures, and some concern for effects on the prostate and mammary gland in this group.  The NTP Draft Brief On Bisphenol A published in April 2008 by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) concurred with the findings of the CERHR expert panel.

In 2002, the European Commission stated that there was no health risk associated with products that contain bisphenol A. The European Commission estimated that the average intake of bisphenol A for an adult is 0.0012mg/kg bodyweight per day from the consumption of canned foods.  Infants (0 to 4 months old) are exposed to approximately 0.0016mg/kg bodyweight per day. 

These bisphenol A exposure values are much lower than the acceptable daily intake (ADI) value 0.05mg/kg bodyweight per day.  The ADI is the amount of a substance which can be consumed each day for a lifetime without causing any sort of adverse health risk to the individual.  For bisphenol A an adult weighing 60kg can ingest 3mg of bisphenol A each day without any adverse health problems.

Alternatives

Glass, aluminium, stainless steel or plastic bottles made from high density polyethylene (HDPE) (recycling symbol 2) do not contain bisphenol A. Water sold in plastic bottles are generally made from recycling number one plastic.  These bottles are not intended for re-use. 

Clean all containers between uses to prevent the growth of microbes.  Thorough cleaning with warm, soapy water is recommended.

Information Sources

American Chemistry Council. (2006-2008). Baby Bottles, Nalgene® Sports Bottles and Food Containers Made with Polycarbonate Plastic. Retrieved from, http://www.plasticsinfo.org/s_plasticsinfo/sec_level3_collapsed.asp?CID=702&DID=2830

European Commission, Health & Consumer Protection Directorate-General. (2002). Opinion of the Scientific Committee on Food on Bisphenol A. Retrieved from, http://ec.europa.eu/food/fs/sc/scf/out128_en.pdf

European Food Safety Authority. (2006). Opinion of the Scientific Panel on food additives, flavourings, processing aids and materials in contact with food (AFC) related to 2,2-Bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane. Retrieved from,

http://www.efsa.europa.eu/EFSA/efsa_locale-1178620753812_1178620772817.htm

Government of Canada. Chemical Substances. (2008). Government of Canada Protects Families with Bisphenol A Regulations. Retrieved from http://www.chemicalsubstanceschimiques.gc.ca/challenge-defi/bisphenol-a_e.html

Government of Canada. Chemical Substances. (2008).Questions and answers for action on bisphenol A under the chemicals management plan. Retrieved from, http://www.chemicalsubstanceschimiques.gc.ca/faq/bisphenol_a_qa-qr_e.html#11

National Toxicology Program. (2007). NTP-CERHR expert panel report on the reproductive and developmental toxicity of bisphenol A. Retrieved from, http://cerhr.niehs.nih.gov/chemicals/bisphenol/BPAFinalEPVF112607.pdf

National Toxicology Program. (2008). NTP brief on bisphenol A. Retrieved from, http://cerhr.niehs.nih.gov/chemicals/bisphenol/BPADraftBriefVF_04_14_08.pdf