Abstract
Bisphenol A (BPA), which is an abundant chemical in the environment, is suggested to cause different toxic effects, including endocrine disruption, reprotoxicity, developmental toxicity, and neurotoxicity. Due to these effects, regulatory authorities have restricted the use of BPA in different consumer products, particularly in products used by children. These restrictions have led to researchers and plastic industry to find new and safer alternatives. Today, bisphenol F (BPF) and bisphenol S (BPS) are highly used although their toxic effects are less known. In the past years, several studies showed that these derivatives might also act as endocrine disruptors and cause toxic effects. BPA is a substance that is carefully monitored by regulatory agencies, and toxicological data are evaluated regularly. The alternatives, such as BPF and BPS, should also be monitored, and the regulations concerning their use in consumer products must be implemented soon. The increase in the number of studies on BPA and different bisphenols is very important in terms of obtaining new toxicological data and guiding regulatory institutions. This chapter will mainly focus on BPA, its toxicity, BPA alternatives, and regulations implemented by different American and European authorities.
Highlights
Bisphenols are a large family of chemicals used to produce polycarbonate and epoxy resins
In a study conducted to examine the possible relationship between Bisphenol A (BPA) exposure during pregnancy and thyroid hormone levels in the newborns and the mothers, urine samples were obtained from 476 women in the first and second trimesters of their pregnancies and their free and total T4 and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were measured
Previous studies have reported that BPA and phthalate exposure might lead to imbalance in the levels of these neurotransmitters in various regions of the brain [15, 28, 29]
Summary
Bisphenols are a large family of chemicals used to produce polycarbonate and epoxy resins. Bisphenols contain two phenolic rings linked by a bridge formed by carbon and other chemical structures. BPA is a compound that consists of two phenol rings linked by a methyl bridge containing two functional methyl groups. BPA is generally used to harden plastics since the 1940s. BPA-containing plastics are on the market since 1957. In 2003, 856,000 tons of BPA was produced. In 2009, global production of BPA exceeded 2.2 million tons. It is shown that BPA can leach from polycarbonate plastics, epoxy resins, and other products in contact with foods and beverages, resulting in continuous exposure of the general population. Food coating materials or food containers containing BPA lead to a high risk of human exposure. Actions such as mechanical abrasion, rubbing, or exposure to high temperatures cause an increased risk of BPA release from these materials [7]
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