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The Truth Behind “BPA-Free”: What Else is in your Everyday Plastics?

A closer look at how BPA hides around the kitchen 🥘

Author

Lantern Lights
December 28, 2024

Photo by Adelene T

Imagine this: 95% of people around the world carry a toxic chemical in their bloodstream. There are an array of chemical offenders, but today, let’s talk about Bisphenol A, more commonly referred to as BPA.

If you’ve ever browsed the news or scanned product labels at the store, you’ve likely come across BPA. This chemical is a go-to ingredient in plastics, used to make everything from food containers to medical devices. With over 6 billion pounds produced annually—enough to fill Lake Tahoe twice over—BPA is one of the most widely used industrial chemicals on the planet.

But here’s something surprising: BPA wasn’t originally created for plastics. In the 1930s, it was investigated as a synthetic estrogen therapy. That idea was shelved, and by the 1940s, BPA became a favorite of polymer scientists, thanks to its adaptability. Today, it can be found in many household items, including plastic bottles, food storage containers with a No. 7 label, and the linings of metal cans for food and beverages.

The issue? BPA isn’t stable. Everyday factors like heat, fat, or wear and tear can cause it to break down, releasing the chemical into the food or drink it comes into contact with—and eventually, into your body.

The statistics are striking. According to the CDC, 92% of Americans have measurable levels of BPA in their bodies, and a 2013 California study detected BPA in the umbilical cords of all 85 pregnant women tested.

We’ve been studying BPA for decades now and the health impact is hard to ignore. This endocrine disruptor can cause wide-ranging, multi-systemic alterations in the human body.

Figure from Martínez-Ibarra et al., "Multi-systemic alterations in humans induced by bisphenol A and phthalates" Environmental Pollution, Volume 271, 2021, Article 116380. Retrieved from ScienceDirect.

More simply:

  • BPA is linked to hormone disruption and cancers like breast, prostate, ovarian, and endometrial.

  • It negatively affects fertility, growth, and development.

  • It’s a known risk factor for chronic diseases.

But I Only Buy BPA-Free Products…

You’ve seen the labels: BPA-Free. Maybe you’ve even felt a little relieved as you reached for that “safe” water bottle or container. But here’s the catch:

Those “BPA-Free” products? They might not be as safe as they seem.

Many manufacturers have swapped BPA for alternatives like BPS (Bisphenol S) and BPF (Bisphenol F). On the surface, these replacements seem promising. But research tells a different story. A study published in Reproductive Toxicology found that these substitutes can have effects just as harmful—if not worse—than BPA itself.

Where do these effects hit the hardest? Your hormones and your reproductive health. The very systems you rely on for balance and well-being.

This isn’t meant to alarm you but to arm you with awareness. Protecting your health—and the health of future generations—requires more than just swapping one chemical for another. It’s about demanding transparency and real answers from the products we trust every day.

So, the next time you see the “BPA-Free” label, take a moment. Ask yourself… What’s replacing BPA? And is it truly safe?

Weekly Step Toward a Healthier Environment

Let’s start small: your kitchen!

It’s one of the most common sources of BPA exposure, especially from food stored in plastic or canned goods.

Here’s what you can do this week:

  • Replace plastic with stainless steel or glass for food storage, water bottles, and cookware. If you feel buried in containers, just go through your kitchen 15 mins at a time.

  • Avoid heating food in plastic containers. It is the heat from the microwave that accelerates chemical leaching.

  • Check for No. 7 plastics and try to limit your use of canned foods unless they specify BPA-free linings. And if they do say BPA-free, dig deeper into what they’re using instead.

While BPA-free products are a step in the right direction, they’re not the only answer. Awareness rooted in science and asking the right questions can help you make more conscious decisions.

Want to see more of the science? Read more on the health impact of BPA on women and children.

Next Week: The Thyroid Connection to Iodine Deficiency

How does iodine in your diet affect your thyroid health? We’ll explore the importance of its critical role in maintaining a balanced system.

Until then,

– Lantern Lights

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