Myths v Facts

Myths and facts on Bisphenol-A (BPA)

“There is a wealth of studies that proves bisphenol A is dangerous”

Independent regulators across the world have consistently concluded that bisphenol A (BPA) is safe by looking at the whole set of available science on BPA. There are key criteria on study quality related to methodology, analysis, evaluation or reproducibility that are used when forming decisions by regulators. Authorities must always base their decisions on validated studies with assured quality Read more about the European authorities' safety assessments.
“Bisphenol A causes birth defects, genetic effects, and infertility”

There is no scientific evidence that proves that bisphenol A (BPA)causes birth defects, genetic effects, and infertility or indeed that it poses any risk to consumers at realistic levels of exposure. Such claims are not supported by any validated scientific research. There are numerous assessments by authorities around the world that confirm that human exposure to BPA is very low, and that humans will rapidly metabolise and excrete BPA.
“Bisphenol A is used as a plasticiser in plastics”

Bisphenol A (BPA) is not used as a plasticiser in plastics; it is an intermediate used in the manufacture of either polycarbonate plastic or epoxy resins. More than 99% of BPA is converted into polymers such as polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins. Only a very small amount of all the BPA that is produced is used as an essential antioxidant in soft PVC plastics or as a colouring agent for thermal paper.
“Bisphenol A is harmful to humans at low doses”

Studies supporting the low dose theory have repeatedly been judged by independent regulators as unreliable for use in human risk assessment. None of the studies claiming such effects could be reproduced by other scientist teams. Several comprehensive studies that also investigated the question of potential effects of very small levels of BPA on the metabolism and looked at several generations, did not find any such effect. However, numerous studies show that the level of migration, if any, is far below any safety-based standards set by government bodies such as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and such exposure poses no known health risk. The low dose theory has repeatedly been judged by independent regulators as both unreliable and unconvincing.
"Polycarbonate debris decomposes in the sea"

Polycarbonate is not used as a one-way packaging material. In fact, polycarbonate products are largely reused and recycled. For example, large 5 gallon water containers are made from polycarbonate. These water bottles are typically refilled up to 100 times before being mechanically recycled. Polycarbonate is therefore not a material that would, under normal use, end up as debris in the sea. In fact, the efficient nature of polycarbonate in many cases helps preserve our resources. Polycarbonate is the material used to make CDs and DVDs, two products that have revolutionaised data storage and enabled enormous improvements in resource efficiency as a result.
"Certain countries have banned BPA"

As a substance Bisphenol A is not banned anywhere in the world. In fact, extensive scientific testing and governmental reviews worldwide have concluded that human exposure to BPA is very low and within the safe limits set by government authorities. Therefore, there is no regulatory- or science-based reason to stop using a safe product that provides significant benefits to the consumer. However, some countries have decided to restrict the use of BPA-based material in food contact products for small children (ages 0-3). This is the case in Canada since March 2010, and Denmark as of mid-2010, as well as in some states, counties or cities in the US. These decisions are driven by other reasons than sound science.
"The US FDA has changed its opinion on BPA"

Both in its previous assessment as well as in its recent opinion of January 2010, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has concluded that there is no evidence of harm to children or adults from the current levels of BPA-exposure. Nevertheless, in their recent statement the FDA also gave guidance to parents on how to minimise infant exposure to BPA if they wish to do so. In addition, the FDA has implemented a BPA-focused research programme, the results of which will become available during the coming years.
"The precautionary principle must be applied to any presumed risk"

The idea of the precautionary principle is to have a concept to regulate a substance if there is no, or not sufficient scientific data available to properly assess a risk, or if the uncertainty in its assessment is regarded as too big. However, for BPA a large amount of scientific data is available. The regulatory experts have a comprehensive understanding of the substance, and the risk assessments are based on a large data base. Therefore the risk associated with BPA has been extensively and thoroughly assessed.
"Bisphenol A is an endocrine or hormone disruptor"

Bisphenol A (BPA) does not fulfil the scientific definition of an endocrine disruptor. BPA was not specifically synthesised to be used as a hormone, but was screened together with many other substances in the 1930s and failed to show relevant potency. Like many naturally-occurring products and everyday foodstuffs such as carrots, soy beans or other vegetables, BPA shows very weak, estrogen-like effects, and only at extremely high levels. Such levels can realistically never be reached in daily life. Read more about this topic.
“Polycarbonate plastic food containers or epoxy coated cans leach high levels of bisphenol A into your food”

Bisphenol A (BPA) does not migrate into food like powder off a surface, as some suggest. In fact, during the production of polycarbonate plastic or epoxy resins, the BPA molecules are firmly bound to one another and are incorporated into the polymeric structure of the plastic itself. Like with any other material, there is some potential for extremely small amounts of BPA to migrate. However, numerous studies show that the level of migration is far below any safety-based standards set by government bodies such as the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and such exposure poses no known health risk. In fact, as stated by EFSA, "after exposure to BPA the human body rapidly metabolises and eliminates the substance." EFSA explicitly considered newborns and small children in their assessment.
“Bisphenol A causes cancer”

There is no scientific evidence that proves that bisphenol A (BPA) causes cancer, nor that it poses any risk to human health, at realistic levels of exposure. Claims that BPA is linked to cancer, birth defects, genetic effects, or infertility are not supported by robust research studies that have investigated this question. The results of related exploratory studies could not be reproduced by other scientific teams and they do not give a consistent picture. Governmental assessments have confirmed that human exposure to BPA is extremely low. When exposed through diet, humans rapidly metabolise and eliminate BPA (within 24 hours). After assessing over 1,000 studies on BPA, the recent EU Risk Assessment Report reconfirmed its conclusion that BPA does not cause cancer at realistic, very low exposure levels. More information.
“Bisphenol A is used as an additive in plastics”

Bisphenol A (BPA) is not added to polycarbonate plastic or epoxy resins, but is the intermediate which, through polymerisation, becomes these materials. More than 99% of BPA is converted into polymers such as polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins. Only a very small amount of all BPA produced is used as an essential antioxidant in soft PVC plastics.
“Bisphenol A should be banned”

There is no scientific justification for banning bisphenol A (BPA), as numerous studies and regulatory assessments have shown that BPA and BPA-based products pose no risk to human health or the environment. Moreover, banning would unnecessarily remove thousands of crucial everyday products from our lives - from CDs and unbreakable eyeglasses to car bumpers and hospital respirators - and have a severe social and economic impact. Read more about BPA applications in our everyday lives.
“Bisphenol A leads to obesity in children”

There is no proven link between bisphenol A (BPA) and childhood obesity. Body weight is a regularly measured parameter in each toxicological study. None of the studies conducted according to internationally accepted quality guidelines showed effects on body weight at dose levels relevant to consumers. Media reports that obesity might be an effect of BPA exposure are based on a small number of studies with a number of limitations (e.g., small samples, limited number of dose levels, using an inappropriate route of exposure). Recent scientific reviews by authorities such as European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the Center for Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction (CERHR), Health Canada and other scientific bodies were consistent in the conclusion that there is no evidence that BPA exposure causes obesity.