What is BPA?

By Susan Brewer, Ph.D., University of Illinois,
Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition

 
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a compound used to manufacture plastic materials made of polycarbonate. BPA can leach out of the plastic over time when the container is exposed to harsh detergents or microwave heat. It can mimic the effects of diesthylstylbesterol, an artificial form of estrogen. BPA has been used for making plastic and epoxy resins for the last half century. Human exposure to BPA occurs mainly through food contact. Water bottles, baby bottles, food containers, and nearly all metal cans had BPA in the epoxy resin coatings on the interior surfaces. It was thought that BPA was fully excreted and therefore not collecting in human tissues.
 
Source(s):
Frisco's Folly Trolley. John Luik. 2006. Technology Commerce Society.