Introduction to Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals

BOX 7: BPA IN RUSSIA
In 2010, The Chapaevsk Medical Association (CMA) tested 21 food samples from three
Russian cities for levels of BPA, and found that 81% of the samples were contaminated.
Canned infant food was found to have some of the highest levels of contamination.
Results were shared at several seminars and workshops with physicians, chemists,
government officials, industry leaders, and other NGOs. Among other recommendations,
CMA suggests continued bio-monitoring in humans (particularly infants) for BPA levels,
implementing epidemiological impact studies in the general public, and starting a public
information and awareness campaign about the dangers of BPA in foods and consumer
products. Source: http://www.ipen.org/project-reports/survey-bisphenol-russian-foods
botulism. Not all can linings contain BPA but it is impossible for the consumer to
know which do and which do not. BPA can leach from these linings into the food,
thereby exposing consumers. Other common household products containing BPA
include polycarbonate eyeglasses, thermal paper receipts, and plastic water pipes.
Where people are exposed, evidence of exposure, and where the risks are
BPA is a high-volume production chemical, and global production is predicted
to exceed 5.4 million metric tons by 2015. Exposure appears to be universal (Box
7); the US Centers for Disease Control have estimated that greater than 96%
of all Americans have BPA in their bodies (180). BPA has been found in urine,
blood, umbilical cord blood and amniotic fluid. Because children are more likely
to eat and drink from plastics, spend so much time on the floor, and put so many
items in their mouths, exposure levels are typically higher in children than adults.
Conversely, people who use fewer plastics, personal care products, and make other
lifestyle changes that reduce contact with BPA-containing items have lower body
burdens (181, 182).
Most people are exposed by consuming food and beverages into which BPA has
leached from the container. Leaching is enhanced by environmental factors such
as heat, sunlight, and acidity, so acidic foods such as tomatoes are more likely to
leach BPA from can linings. Common activities such as reheating food in or on
plasticware in the microwave and storing water bottles in a hot car are known to
enhance the transfer of BPA from plastics. Other possible but not well studied
routes of exposure include inhalation or ingestion of contaminated house dust,
and dermal exposure from handling BPA-containing thermal paper receipts.
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