By Kirstie Ruby

As new research in the field of endocrine disruption continues to develop, many companies and health care facilities are choosing to phase out dangerous chemicals, such as Bisphenol A (BPA), in an effort to better protect the health of patients, employees, and consumers. Unfortunately, the alternatives that are chosen to replace these chemicals are often just as dangerous, causing similar health effects in the exposed population. New evidence suggests that Bisphenol S (BPS), the chemical commonly brought in to replace BPA in various consumer products, has been found to be equally dangerous, in large part due to our nation’s outdated chemical laws. 

Bisphenol A is a chemical component used to create polycarbonate plastic, and serves as a widely used additive in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic. It is found in a variety of consumer products including water bottles, take out containers, and eyeglasses. Applications in medical devices include hemodialysers, newborn incubators, syringes, and nebulizers.

Premature babies, who spend considerable time in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), are exposed to a much higher level of BPA than the general population. Insufficient organ development and a low birth weight, combined with the fact that many of these infants require numerous medical interventions, has lead to a heightened concern for this population. The European Commission’s Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR), concluded that for neonates, “Although the benefit of medical devices has also to be considered…where practicable, medical devices that do not leach BPA should be used”. 

Many studies have shown that BPA is a known endocrine-disrupting chemical, with the ability to interfere with the action of estrogen and estradiol hormones. Exposure to BPA has been linked to an increased rate of neurological and behavioral disorders, reproductive problems, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes. A recent study out of the University of Missouri-Columbia found that fish who are exposed to endocrine disruptors (including BPA) will pass adverse reproductive effects on to their offspring as many as three generations later.

In light of continued research on the negative health effects of BPA, many companies have turned to Bisphenol S as a plasticizer replacement in some applications. While the decision to remove BPA from certain products is a small win for public health, it is equally important to consider the safety of the chemical alternative that has been brought in as a replacement. Unfortunately, new research has shown that BPS may be equally as dangerous as its chemical cousin BPA, causing many of the same negative health effects.

In a 2012 study, 81% of participants were found to have BPS present in their urine, highlighting the known pervasiveness of this chemical. In a 2015 systematic review, which included 32 studies, results indicate that the potency of BPS is the same order of magnitude as the potency of BPA. With such findings well documented in multiple in vitro and in vivo studies, the authors conclude with a strong warning, “the use of the bisphenol class of compounds as replacements for BPA in consumer products with high human contact should be implemented with caution.”

With continued research connecting both BPA and BPS exposure with numerous adverse health outcomes, the need for safer alternatives in health care facilities has become even more of a priority. Legislative changes are an important component in preventing dangerous chemical exposure among at-risk groups in the population. The need for thorough testing before a chemical is introduced to the market, a key point that must be included in any new legislation replacing TSCA, is an absolute necessity. 

Health Care Without Harm has been working for years to identify BPA in medical products, and to find safer alternatives. One example of this work is the creation of the Standardized Environmental Disclosure Questions, now required by the largest Group Purchasing Organizations in the country. By asking “Is this product free of intentionally added BPA?” we are generating demand for safer products and raising awareness about dangerous chemicals that can affect patient health. 

_{Photo by Flickr User Randy Cox}

Kirstie Ruby provides communication support for the Safer Chemicals program.