A dangerous toxin or harmless polycarbonate

plastic?

By Group #4Saijal Suri, Alex Liu, Karan Nandani, Sahar Shah, Jatin Mahajan

What are the disadvantages and

damaging effects of Bisphenol-A and

how do they compare to its benefits? Is it feasible to remove BPA from production?

Background Information on BPA Production and Manufacturing Process BPA’s use and application in plastics Human exposure to BPA Effects on Human health Environmental Issues Opinion of the scientific community Economic Implications Government stance Global Response Ethics Possible Alternatives to BPA

Bisphenol A is a chemical compound used to make polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins used in many products/containers to hold food, beverages, etc...

the IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) name of Bisphenol A is:

4, 4’-dihydroxy-2,2-diphenylpropane Bisphenol A (BPA) is used in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins because

it is a lightweight, high performance plastic, possesses unique balance of toughness, optical clarity, high heat resistance, excellent electrical resistance

• Used in wide variety of common products including plastic• Epoxy resins: used in engineering applications and as protective coating in metal-based food

and beverage cans Serves an important safety function in the coating of a can

• Prevents corrosion of the can and contamination of food and beverages Bisphenol A has been used widely in production since the 1950’s Commercial production of plastic with Bisphenol A (BPA) began in the year

1957

BPA was first synthesized by German chemist Thomas Zincke in the early

1900’s

The process discovered by Zincke, and the process used today:

A synthesis of the compound Bisphenol-A is made by a means of the

condensation of acetone and phenol and is then catalyzed by a strong acid.

Cation exchange resins can replace the acid catalyst in newer plants

After the reaction and synthesis of BPA takes place: the final product (BPA) is

cleaned, neutralized with calcium hydroxide and distilled under vacuum

To purify, extractive crystallization is used under pressure

Bisphenol A is now produced worldwide and the commercial production of

the chemical compound has grown enormously with the greater demand.

eyeglass lenses medical equipment water bottles cell phones computers household appliances rubber boots Adhesives and epoxy resins industrial floorings can coatings powder coatings automotive primers digital media (compact disks

etc.) bottle tops water supply pipes infant bottles impact-resistant safety

equipment dental sealants dollar bills & paper receipts

Note: Almost all food and beverage containers contain Bisphenol A to some degree

Chemist John Warner argued that store receipts are the primary source of BPA U.S. Environmental Working commissioned scientists at University of Missouri to

investigate presence of BPA in 36 purchase receipts from grocery stores, banks and other retail stores in Washington D.C. and seven other states (from Connecticut to California) The sales receipts came from stores such as, Safeway, Whole Foods, CVS, Wal-Mart, Chevron, McDonald’s, The U.S. Postal Service, Starbucks, KFC

The average McDonald’s receipt contained 13 million grams of BPA equivalent of amount found in 126 cans of Chef Boyardee soup sauce.

Overall, 40% of receipts collected have high levels of BPA The lower levels of Bisphenol in certain receipts have been attributed to use of

recycled paper

- Intake is clearly highest for infants from 6-12 months and children from 1.5-6 years. - Justified with the presence of Bisphenol-A in infant bottles and food products

The chemical bonds holding Bisphenol-A (BPA) together/between the compound are highly unstable.

the bonds break apart easily from its parental compound into whatever substance/food/beverage is in the plastic; the toxins of Bisphenol A leach readily into our food and beverages.

This leaching of BPA happens over a lengthy period of time but can be accelerated with heat and an increase in the acidic or basic conditions which it is exposed to.

These toxins are then consumed by humans and enter our bloodstreams and tissues, and are linked to adverse health conditions.

Although we do not consume the plastic with Bisphenol-A (BPA) in it; the products the plastic container holds are exposed to harmful BPA toxins and are then consumed by humans.

Therefore, BPA is a growing concern with the increase of packaged foods and products containing the chemical.

BPA is at unsafe levels in one of every 10 servings of canned foods (11%) and one of every 3 cans of infant formula (33%)

                                                                                                                                      

BPA IS AT UNSAFE LEVELS IN ONE OF EVERY 10 SERVINGS OF CANNED FOODS (11%) AND ONE OF EVERY 3 CANS OF INFANT

FORMULA (33%)

Chart from Environmental Working Group

BPA is an endocrine disruptor – imitates hormones in the body

Hormones are chemicals released by a cell/gland that sends out

messages that affect cells in other parts of organism

Hormones in animals are often transported in the blood, which

makes it easy for the body to mistaken BPA, absorbed into the

bloodstream along with nutrients in food, for hormones

BPA attacks the human body through the endocrine system

BPA is especially mistaken by the human body for estrogen, which

is why scientific studies show greater adverse affects in females

and babies

• legitimizes the fear of BPA in baby bottles, as the body may mistaken the BPA for

estrogen, triggering the early on-set of puberty

Statistics Canada data (August 2010) – 91% of Canadians have

detectable levels of BPA in their bodies – ages 12 & 19 most likely to

have BPA

Apr. 14, 2008 - U.S. National Institutes of Health report - concern that

fetuses, infants and children exposed to BPA at increased risk for early

puberty, prostate and breast cancer

Chinese study (2009) – men exposed to extremely high BPA levels

more likely to report some sort of sexual dysfunction• examine 164 factory workers exposed to 50 times more BPA than North American male

National Institutes of Health animal studies - BPA may imitate estrogen

and other hormones

January 2008 (published Environmental Health Perspectives journal)

researchers Rochester University – BPA remains in body for very long

September 2008 study – 90% participants had detectable levels of

BPA in urine

• those with highest BPA 3 times greater chance of cardiovascular disease and 4

times greater chance of Type 2 diabetes

Yale researchers – when BPA administered to pregnant mice

altered gene responsible for normal uterine development

Oct. 6, 2009 – journal Environmental Health Perspectives –

pregnant women exposed to BPA more likely to have daughters

with aggressive and hyperactive behaviours

Women exposed to BPA suffer many hormonal problems, including decreased antioxidants, increased aggressiveness, early puberty etc. 71-90% of women surveyed are exposed to unsafe BPA levels 62% of all women are exposed to levels higher than 30ug/kg/d which has been linked to hyperactivity , whereas 71% are exposed to higher than 20ug/kg/d, which can lead to damage to chromosomes and eggs.

Chart from Environmental Working Group

BPA'S TOXIC EFFECTS IN LAB ANIMALS ARE ON THE RISE AND COMMON IN PEOPLE

EWG'S TESTS SHOW THAT CANNED FOODS ARE A SIGNIFICANT

FRACTION OF PEOPLE'S TOTAL BPA EXPOSURE

Charts from Environmental Working Group

~97% of surveyed women showed at least 0.001 ug/kg/d of BPA trace in urine testingOut of which 80% are exposed to this level of BPA through canned food, recipes and soda cans

2006 study: pregnant mice exposed to BPA

• Fetuses found to have mammary gland ductal hyperplasias (cell

growth and gross enlargement of tissues) and carcinoma (an

invasive malignant tumor in epithelial cells)

• At all levels 2.5 µg/kg/day to 1000 µg/kg/day, exposure lead to

ductal hyperplasias – is a precursor of breast cancer in mice &

humans

% hyperplastic ducts for 50-day old female rats

•Animals exposed to highest levels i.e. 250 & 1000 µg/kg/day developed cancerous lesions called carcinomas in situ (CIS) •50 days of age 25% had CIS•95 days of age 33% had CIS•hyperplasic ducts increased # of cells tested positively for estrogen receptor α, i.e. cells were more sensitive to estrogen than normal/control cells

Another 2006 study shows that BPA exposure in mice disrupts the Pancreatic ß-Cell Function and induces Insulin resistance Type II Diabetes

• Rapid (30 min) decreases of blood sugar levels & increases in blood insulin levels • Long-term (4 days) increases in pancreatic ß cells insulin production & secretion &

development of insulin resistance, impaired glucose tolerance

Blood sugar levels sharply decreased as bisphenol exposure increased

•At sexual maturity, mice treated with BPA were heavier than untreated increased by up to 22% •Indicate possible link of BPA to obesity•Yale School of Medicine- published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences•exposed monkeys to BPA levels declared safe by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for humans i.e. 50 µg/kg/day•BPA interfered with their brain-cell connections vital to memory, learning and mood

Low levels of BPA may be released to the environment during the process of manufacturing

It is entering the environment through wastewaters, washing residues and leach from landfills

• It contaminates the ground water It breaks down slowly in environment when there is a lack of oxygen

• The slow breakdown process and wide use means that it will build up in the waters• That is potentially harmful to the organisms living underwater

More than 1 million pounds of BPA are released into the environment each year (according to EPA)

As a precautionary measure to address the environmental concerns, Environment Canada is in progress of setting a limit to the concentration of BPA

2009 review of biological impacts of plasticizers on wildlife published by the Royal Society with focus on molluscs, crustaceans, insects, fish and amphibians concluded that BPA affect reproduction in all studied animal groups

• impair development in crustaceans and amphibians and induce genetic mutations large 2010 study of Canadian rivers found areas contaminated with

hormone-like chemicals including Bisphenol-A show females made up 85% of fish population, while females made up only 55% in uncontaminated areas

Interferes with nitrogen fixation at roots of leguminous plants Environment Canada, state “Initial assessment shows that at low levels,

Bisphenol A can harm fish and organisms over time. Studies also indicate that it can currently be found in municipal wastewater."

"BPA levels appear to drop about eight times more slowly than expected

— so slowly, in fact, that race and sex together have as big an influence

on BPA levels as fasting time," researcher Richard W. Stahlhut. January 2007 – Yale study, published – Journal of the Federation of

American Societies for Experimental Biology state "If pregnant women

are exposed to the estrogen-like properties found in BPA, it may impact

female reproductive tract development and the future fertility of female

fetuses the mother is carrying.“ Study in journal Chemistry & Biology, 2006 "modified versions of

bisphenol A likely to be formed in the body do stimulate breast tumour

cell growth in vitro," • statement by Theodore Widlanski, lead researcher & biochemistry professor (Indiana

University) "Enzymes present on the surface of breast tumour cells appear to convert the

modified BPA back into BPA.“

BPA found in almost every daily use item and therefore, banning it completely

will largely impact the economy and is thus, facing opposition from many large

companies

According to a European report – in more than 80% of its applications,

polycarbonate is critical to performance of the component or material

Bisphenol A has a global production at 4 billion kg – 2006

25 companies reported importing total of 500 000 kg of bisphenol A into Canada

• 5 companies using 100 000 to 1 000 000 kg of

bisphenol A in Canada (Environment Canada)

• This makes it extremely difficult and

economically unfeasible to completely remove

BPA from production and use

• It will have to be phased out and replaced by a

reliable alternative that provides the same

benefits

Generally, Developed Nations have most consumption of BPA

October 2008 – Canada became first country to ban import & sale of polycarbonate baby bottles with bisphenol A

federal government also announce to provide $1.7 million over three years for BPA research

April 2008 – statement by federal Health Minister Tony Clement claimed his department found negative health effects only occur at high levels of bisphenol A exposure

• "We have concluded that early development is sensitive to the effects of bisphenol A. Although our science tells us that exposure levels to newborns and infants are below levels that cause effects, we believe the current safety margin needs to be higher.“

• announced Canada’s plan to ban any baby products containing BPA and conduct further research

Soon after this, Wal-Mart and Toys-R-Us announced that they would immediately cease selling baby products containing BPA.

More evidence is required for international governments and other countries to take firm action against BPA

The governments of Canada and USA have initiated a plan to monitor and regulate areas like the landfills and manufacturing facilities (areas from where the BPA may enter the environment)

Talks about possible reduction of BPA by government of USA

November, 2009: World Health Organization declared to organize an ‘expert consultation’ in 2010 to examine BPA safety

Decided as result of reports on negative health effects of exposure (in areas such as development, immunity and behaviour)

Impact of BPA on young children was primary concern for WHO (World Health Org)

The Australia and New Zealand Food Safety Authority declare that associated health risks with BPA baby bottles were negligible

• not pose any danger to consumers• The Food Safety Authority suggested use of glass baby bottles as alternative to

concerned parents • possible alternatives presented – Carbonless paper or thermal coating.

The European Union commissioned Risk Assessment Report on BPA in June, 2008 (published in June 2008 by the European Commission and European Food Safety Association)

• concluded that BPA-based products are safe for consumers and the environment• The Lang Study (conducted October 2008) confirmed their position, concluding

that the Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) level for BPA was 0.05 mg/kg bodyweight• indicated products containing BPA were not harmful to human health

September 2010: European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) revised its scientific opinion, based on a "comprehensive evaluation of recent toxicity data”

Data linked the chemical to potential biochemical alterations in the brain, immune-deficiency, and an increased risk of breast tumours. (The studies, however, were considered to be high in error.)

November 25, 2010: The European Union executive commission stated it would ban the manufacturing of baby bottles containing BPA by March 1st, 2011

Widely criticized as a political move as opposed to a scientific one

Both Belgium and Denmark have proposed tentative legislation to ban BPA in baby bottles and food-contact plastics in 2010, but have taken no firm action since then

March 24, 2010, the French Senate unanimously passed a law to ban Bisphenol-A from baby bottles.

September 19, 2008: the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment declared itself to be in agreement with the Lang Study. Some individual manufacturers, however, removed pacifiers and baby bottles containing BPA from the market of their own accord.

The Netherlands and Switzerland both deemed Bisphenol-A safe for use, however the Swiss Federal Office for Public Health has publicized a list of alternatives for polycarbonate baby bottles.

December 2009: group of 7 scientists sent letter to UK government, urging to ‘adopt a standpoint consistent with the approach taken by other Governments who have ended the use of BPA in food contact products marketed at children’

January 2009: UK Food Standards Agency confirmed that ‘exposure of UK consumers to BPA from all sources, including food contact materials, is well below levels considered harmful’.

From 1998 to 2003: Japanese canning industry willingly replaced their resin can liners (containing BPA) with BPA-free polyethylene terephthalate (PET)

school lunch tableware containing polycarbonates replaced with BPA-free plastics

Japanese risk assessors have discovered, as a result of the changes implemented, that no BPA is detectable in canned foods and drinks and that the blood-levels of Bisphenol-A in people have declined by an astonishing 50%

United States: September 2008- The National Toxicology Program reported that BPA presented itself as a ‘minor concern’ (approximately a 2.5 on a five-level scale)

FDA assured consumers that current limits were safe but commissioned additional investigations on the issue

March 2009- Sunoco, a gas and chemical producer, refused to sell BPA for use in food and water containers for children below the age of 3 (stating that they could not be certain of the compound’s safety).

The six largest US companies commercializing baby bottles vowed to stop using bisphenol A in their products

March 13: leaders from House and Senate proposed legislation to ban BPA.

September 2009: the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that it would be evaluating BPA for action plan development.

October 2009: The U.S. government announced that it would be spending $30,000,000 to study the health effects of BPA.

The use of BPA in baby products, such as baby bottles, pacifiers and medical equipment can expose babies to additional hormonal changes, by disrupting their endocrine system

This can also result in the early onset of puberty in females and is thus, considered unethical

Some people might consider testing being done on pregnant mice to be going against the precautionary principle, as they are being harmed in the process of studying the effects of the toxic chemicals

The offspring of these mice often show developmental and behavioral deficiencies, along with physical disorders and cancers.

Using glass and stainless steel bottles and dishes

Tritan Co-polyester – BPA-free polymer from Eastman Chemical company

High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) – HDPE plastics are non-carcinogenic

plastics used for non-reusable containers approved for use in 1998 by

FDA 

Polypropylene (PP) - Polypropylene plastics used in reusable food

storage containers & baby bottles

Grilamid TR-90 - being used in Germany• thermoplastic nylon/polyamide made from cyclododecalactam (material used to make

Nylon 12)

• Not available in Canadian/American market yet 

Baked-on Resins (Oleoresin) - Oleoresin is natural mixture of oil & resin

extracted from plants

polyethylene terephthalate (PET) – used in Japan

• Increased efficacy testing may produce viable reusable PET alternative 

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