Used outside Europe as an alternative to bisphenol A, bisphenol B is also an endocrine disruptor and should therefore not be used, reveals a study by ANSES.
Since the ban on bisphenol A (BPA), it has taken its place in food containers, especially outside Europe. However, bisphenol B (BPB) is just as dangerous to health.
This is what brings to light a study published Wednesday, October 16 in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives by the French National Health Security Agency (Anses). According to her, “bisphenol B has endocrine properties similar to those of bisphenol A” and therefore should not be used.
A proven endocrine disruptor
While BPB is not produced in Europe and is not registered under the European Chemicals Regulation (REACH), other countries have readily used it as a substitute for BPA. This is particularly the case in the United States, which uses it as resins inside cans. “A few studies show that it is found in certain populations, notably in Portugal and Italy, which suggests that these were exposed through imported products, which contain BPB”, explains to the World Cécile Michel, co-author of the study.
This new work by ANSES was based on “the structural similarity between bisphenol A (BPA) and BPB” and “took into account the possible effects of BPB on humans or wildlife observed during tests in the laboratory carried out on different species of vertebrates such as rodents or fish”.
The results are instructive: just like BPA, bisphenol B has the ability to interfere “with the estrogen signaling pathway, to reduce testosterone production, to alter steroidogenesis, to modify spermatogenesis (the production of sperm, editor’s note) in rats and zebrafish, as well as fish reproduction. This estrogenic activity as well as the inhibition of testosterone production are consistent with the endocrine activity of BPA”, concludes ANSES.
“Through ANSES, France will soon file a dossier at European level to propose the identification of BPB as an endocrine disruptor,” says Cécile Michel.
The BPS also in the sights of the health authorities
Classified in July 2017 at European level as an endocrine disruptor capable of having serious effects on human health, bisphenol A has been banned in France in all food containers since 1er July 2015. It had previously been banned in baby bottles and baby food containers.
At the end of September, European justice confirmed the classification as an endocrine disruptor, rejecting the appeal filed by PlasticsEurope, which represents European plastics producers.
Like BPA and BPB, bisphenol S (BPS), present in cans, receipts or food labels, could also end up in the hot seat. According to a study conducted by Toulouse researchers and published this summer in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives“replacing BPA with BPS could lead to increased human exposure to a hormonally active compound.”
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