Bisphenol A (BPA) is ubiquitous chemical that has been known to emulate the hormone estrogen and act as an endocrine disruptor (Vogel 2009). Since its development in the 1890s, BPA has been widely used in the production of plastics, PVC, food packaging, laptops, cellphones, hospital equipment, and cosmetics (Rochester 2013; Vogel 2009). It has become a topic of popular debate in the past years for its estrogen-mimicking feature and possible noxious effects, which include: miscarriage, premature delivery, altered hormone, liver, and thyroid function (Vogel 2009). The FDA declared it a “chemical of concern” in 2008 and banned its use in baby bottles and containers, yet it still considers BPA safe under current low-dose exposure (Vogel 2009). There have been a number of studies such as the ones conducted on rodents and those that analyze scientific data (provided by public resources) that have found a correlation between BPA exposure and certain health problems, but due to the lack of studies conducted on humans, there is not enough evidence to confirm the toxicity of BPA to ban its use.
BPA is present in our everyday lives and many claims have been made regarding its danger, but few studies have been done on humans that would provide an accurate report on the threat it may pose to human health. BPA is released in a multitude of things including food, beverages, and the environment that directly affects us (Wade 2006). Exposure to this chemical occurs when the ester bonds that link BPA molecules are broken down by hydrolysis causing the chemical to leach and contaminate what it comes in contact with (Wade 2006). The process of hydrolysis is sped up by the exposure to heat and/or acidic conditions (Wade 2006). As a result, humans ar...
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