Some of the adverse effects that BPA may cause include the following: 

Neurotoxicity

BPA is an endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) that mimics the neurotoxic properties of the hormone estrogen. According to the Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit (PEHSU) of the Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC). “BPA has been associated with increases in developmental disorders of the brain and nervous system in animals. These developmental disorders in animals are like problems such as ADHD (attention deficit hyper-reactivity disorder) in humans.”

Carcinogenicity
PEHSU reports that “BPA may cause changes in cells in breasts, the uterus, and the prostate which can increase risk of cancers.” The September 2008 report of NTP suggests that BPA exposure may be linked to prostate and brain cancer.

Behavioral and hormonal problems
The NTP report also says that BPA can cause behavioral problems in fetuses, infants and children. It can induce early onset of puberty in girls and can cause reproductive disorders.

Cardiovascular and metabolic disorders
High BPA levels have been linked to increased risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

It comes as no surprise that these findings have generated a strong anti-BPA movement worldwide. To understand the controversy behind BPA, let's look at some of the events that have occurred in the last two years.

March 2007
A class action lawsuit was filed against baby bottle manufacturers on behalf of Californian babies who may have been adversely affected by BPA.

November 2007
Researchers from the University of Cincinnati published an article in Toxicology Letters (online edition) reporting that BPA is leaching out of the polycarbonate bottles popularly used as drinking bottles. This report led to Nalgene plastic bottles taken off the shelves in Canada in December 2007.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) tested infant formulas for BPA and detected BPA in some of the most popular brands. When questioned, 4 out of the top 5 companies admitted using BPA in their packaging.

January 2008
The National Center for Environmental Health of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a paper which reported that BPA was detected in the urine of 92.6% of 2,517 participants during the 2003-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHNES).

April 2008
Canada announced its plans to ban BPA-containing bottles. The US FDA established an agency-wide BPA task force to facilitate cross-agency review of current research and new information on BPA for all FDA regulated products.

May 2008
In a health call, “leaders of the Committee on Energy and Commerce threatened to subpoena the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for records the agency used in determining that the chemical bisphenol A (BPA) was safe for use in making infant formula liners and other products intended for infants and children”, according to a report in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

July 2008
The European Food Safety Authority’s AFC Panel declared that human exposure to BPA is too low to cause any real harm. According to the panel’s report, the human body rapidly metabolises and eliminates BPA out of the body.
September 3, 2008

The National Toxicology Program (NTP) issued a report on BPA, expressing the following concerns:
• “some concern“ for effects on the brain, behavior, and prostate gland in fetuses, infants, and children at current human exposures to BPA.
• “minimal concern“ for effects on the mammary gland and an earlier age for puberty for females, in fetuses, infants, and children at current human exposures to BPA.
• “negligible concern“ that exposure of pregnant women to BPA will result in fetal or neonatal mortality, birth defects, or reduced birth weight and growth in their offspring.
• “negligible concern“ that exposure to BPA will cause reproductive effects in non-occupationally exposed adults and “minimal concern” for workers exposed to higher levels
• in occupational settings.
"Some concern" represents a midpoint in a 5-point scale of concern, with "serious concern" as the highest and "negligible concern" as the lowest.

September 2008
Researchers at the University of Exeter (UK) re-examined the previously mentioned NHNES BPA urine data. They found that high levels of BPA in the urine were associated with chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, and kidney problems. The BPA Subcommittee of the Science Board to the US FDA met on September 16, 2008 to discuss BPA assessment.

October 2008
Two studies reported research results in mice exposed to BPA. One study reported that pregnant mice exposed to BPA suffered from altered the cellular structure of the breasts. A second study showed that female mice's exposure to low-dose BPA during fetal life or adulthood caused alterations in maternal behaviour.

Researchers at University of Cincinnati report that BPA is linked to chemotherapy resistance. The study demonstrated that "BPA does not increase cancer cell proliferation like DES [cancer-promoting compound called diethylstilbestrol] does. It’s actually acting by protecting existing cancer cells from dying in response to anti-cancer drugs, making chemotherapy significantly less effective."

The American states of Connecticut, New Jersey and Delaware, through their attorney generals officially asked in writing 11 manufacturers to eliminate BPA from milk formula packaging as well from baby bottles.

The Canadian government announced the drafting of regulations that will prohibit the import, sale and advertising of polycarbonate baby bottles that contain BPA.

Based on a review by a subcommittee, the US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) stated that “consumers should know that, based on all available evidence, the present consensus among regulatory agencies in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Japan is that current levels of exposure to BPA through food packaging do not pose an immediate health risk to the general population, including infants and babies.” In addition, the US FDA thinks the Canadian restrictions on BPA are “out of an abundance of caution.”

January 2009
The US FDA and Health Canada’s Health Products and Food Branch hosted a meeting of representatives of U.S and Canadian manufacturers and users of food packaging materials containing BPA. They discussed what is to be done to help minimize the levels of BPA in food. The meeting was also part of FDA’s efforts to assist the manufacturing industry in its voluntary BPA reduction efforts.
March, 2009

Lawmakers in Suffolk County (New York) Legislature unanimously voted for the prohibition of use of BPA in baby bottles and 'sippy' cups to be used for children under the age of four. Other state legislatures are also seriously considering similar legislation.

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut announced that US' 6 major baby bottle manufacturers have agreed to stop using BPA. "All six major baby bottle companies -- Avent, Disney First Years, Gerber, Dr. Brown, Playtex and Evenflow -- have agreed to voluntarily ban BPA from bottles in a major public health victory."

So what can we do to protect ourselves from BPA?
Recommendations from PEHSU
• Avoid plastics with symbol # 3 (PVC or polyvinyl), symbol # 6 (PS or polystyrene foam) and symbol #.
• Do not microwave food/beverages in plastic
• Do not microwave or heat plastic cling wraps
• Do not place plastics in the dishwasher
• If using hard polycarbonate plastics (water bottles/baby bottles/sippy cups), do not use for warm/hot liquids
• Use safe alternatives such as glass or polyethylene plastic (symbol #1)
• Avoid canned foods when possible (BPA may be used in can linings)
• Look for labels on products that say “phthalate-free” or “BPA-free”
Recommendations from the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI):
• Avoid plastic containers made of polycarbonate. Any bottle or container made of polycarbonate has the recycling No. 7 on the bottom.
• When possible, prepare or store food—especially hot foods and liquids—in glass, porcelain, or stainless steel dishes or containers.
• If you have polycarbonate plastic food containers, don’t microwave them. The plastic is more likely to break down and release BPA when it’s repeatedly heated to high temperatures.
• Don’t wash polycarbonate plastic containers in the dishwasher. The detergent may break down the plastic, which could release BPA.
• Use infant formula bottles that are made of glass or BPA-free plastic. BornFree (newbornfree.com) is one of many companies that make them.
• When you can, replace canned foods with foods that are fresh, frozen, or packaged in aseptic (shelf-stable) boxes. At least one manufacturer—Eden Foods—lines its cans with a BPA alternative made from plant extracts.
• A good alternative to polycarbonate is polyethylene terephthalate (PETE), which has the recycling No. 1 on the bottom.
• Avoid older versions of Delton dental sealant…Most dental sealants are free of BPA. However, older Delton sealants contain a compound that breaks down into BPA, mostly during the first day after it comes into contact with saliva.

References

BPA sites
Pro-BPA :

Bisphenol-A Website of the Polycarbonate/BPA Global Group, which is organized regionally at the American Chemistry Council, PlasticsEurope, and the Japan Chemical Industry Association.

Anti-BPA "
Bisphenol A Portal.

Calafat et al. Exposure of the U.S. population to bisphenol A and 4-tertiary-octylphenol: 2003-2004. Environ Health Perspect. 2008 Jan;116(1):39-44.

Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). Hard questions about a hard plastic.

Connecticut Attorney General's Office. Attorney General Announces Baby Bottle Makers Agree To Stop Using BPA; Calls For Legislative Ban.

Health Canada news Release. Government of Canada Protects Families With Bisphenol A Regulations. October 17, 2008.

Lang et al. Association of urinary bisphenol A concentration with medical disorders and laboratory abnormalities in adults. JAMA. 2008 Sep 17;300(11):1303-10. Epub 2008 Sep 16.

LaPensee et al. Bisphenol A at Low Nanomolar Doses Confers Chemoresistance in Estrogen Receptor-α–Positive and –Negative Breast Cancer Cells Environmental Health Perspectives Volume 117, Number 2, February 2009.

Le et al..Bisphenol A is released from polycarbonate drinking bottles and mimics the neurotoxic actions of estrogen in developing cerebellar neurons. Toxicol Lett. 2008 Jan 30;176(2):149-56. Epub 2007 Nov 19.

Mitka M. Baby Bottle Safety. JAMA. 2008;299(18):2141.

National Toxicology Program. BPA fact sheet.

News Blaze. Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Baby Bottle Manufacturers. March 12,2007.

Palanza et al. Effects of developmental exposure to bisphenol A on brain and behavior in mice. Environ Res. 2008 Oct;108(2):150-7.

Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit. BPA and phthalates.

Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC).US BPA usage could be curbed.

UC Health News. Bisphenol A Linked to Chemotherapy Resistance. 

US FDA Statement February 9, 2009. Regulatory Meeting with Manufacturers and Users of Bisphenol A-containing Materials.

US FDA. .

Vandenberg et al. Perinatal exposure to the xenoestrogen bisphenol-A induces mammary intraductal hyperplasias in adult CD-1 mice. Reprod Toxicol. 2008 Nov-Dec;26(3-4):210-9. Epub 2008 Oct 15.