Bisphenol A
Introduction
The Russian Aleksandr Dianine created BPA at the end of the nineteenth century, who coined it as “Dianin’s Compound” and is used primarily as a booster in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins with over 6 million pounds are produced annually in United States (Di Donato et al. 35). Non-polymer BPA is used as a flame retardant filler, as well as brake fluids and as a heat sheet. This article analyses the chemical composition importance, health concerns, long-term environmental effects, and the alternatives of bisphenol A.
Chemical Composition
BPA contains two major phenyl groups, two hydroxyls (or alcohol) electron-rich groups and two methyl groups (Hattori and Shusuke). BPA is a little lipophilic in its free form (trends to be linked to lipids). However, BPA is a bit more hydrophilic (trends to associate with water) by conjugation, a biochemical process that makes it more water-soluble. The free shape of the substance is usually contained in adipose or reservations and breast milk. Through urine or excrement, the hydrophilic shape is typically used. The water solubility of BPA is relatively high, around 120 mg/liter and vapor pressure is approximately 5.32-5 Pascals (Hattori and Shusuke). The octanol-water partition coefficient (Kow) is a standard coefficient for specific environmental substances. It is the concentration of a product, widely used as an organic solvent, in octanol and of water in excess. The BPA Log Kow is between 2.2 and 3.4 (Hattori and Shusuke). These characteristics of bisphenol A, therefore, offer it a tendency to separate in water, and the rate of soil and water evaporation is limited.
Importance of Bisphenol A
It is a chemical used in the manufacturing of plastic containers termed as polycarbonates and epoxy resins, which are commonly used material (Ali et al.). BPA has the potential to contaminate food packaged in plastic containers. It is converted into a monomer during the manufacturing of various commonly produced items such as water bottles, infant bottles, or contact lenses. Epoxy resins containing BPA are used as a food container covering; however polyesters are now used at its substitute (Hattori and Shusuke). Despite its extensive usage it poses a substantial risk to public safety.
Negative Health Effects of Bisphenol A
Laboratory species subject to BPA display a slow comprehension, decreased aggressiveness, hyperactivity, and lower maternal behavior. Laboratory studies showed that access to reproductive hormone rates before birth has permanent effects and induces the early onset of sexual maturation in females (Seachrist et al. 170). It contributes to lower testosterone rates, larger prostate size, and reduced sperm output in laboratory animals. Decreased testosterone and development of semen were also found in bisphenol A consumption to adults. There are even higher incidences of chromosomal misalignments, triggering Down’s syndrome, and a significant proportion of miscarriages in experimental mice subjected to Bisphenol A (Di Donato et al. 36). Adult bisphenol resistant mice built a tolerance to insulin, which is a disease that inhibits the body’s capacity to regulate blood sugar, which may contribute to diabetes and obesity. A 2008 research of individuals showed that the rate of diabetes and cardiovascular disorders among people more prone to bisphenol A is higher (Di Donato et al. 37). Studies in labs have shown that sensitivity to bisphenol A influences the growth of the mammary gland and prostate gland in ways that may contribute to potential cancers.
Long-Term Environmental Impacts of Bisphenol A
BPA may have a long term effect upon ecosystems, in particular on marine life in freshwater and in saltwater environments that are contaminant reservoirs. BPA is believed to imitate hormones and disturb endocrine processes such as the respiratory, kidney, and gallbladder (Seachrist et al. 169). Inhaled air or swallowed BPA can induce diarrhea, vomiting, and other effects in people and wildlife may do the same if subjected to such chemicals. This may contribute to animals dying at a higher rate, destroying the balance of the environment, and impacting life in other species and plants nearby. A study found that fish subjected to BPA had a detrimental reproductive impact on their offspring for up to three generations, and during one week during embryonic development (Seachrist et al. 170). The results are a decreased fertilization rate and enhanced mortality of embryos. BPA use in turtles, also seen as excellent indicators of how such factors may impact certain species in their habitats, can potentially contribute to the proliferation of turtles in the future.
Healthier Alternatives for Bisphenol A
Bisphenol A should be phased out in favor of healthier substitutes in the manufacturer of containers in particular baby bottles, bottles of sports water, infant formula cans, and food and drink canned. The main substitutes for bisphenol A are bisquaiacol F, tetramethyl bisphenol F, and tetramethyl bisphenol F diglycidyl ether (Maćczak et al.144). These substances display a low propensity for influencing the endocrine function of estrogens or androgenic, which allows them less likely to disrupt body-generated hormones.
Conclusion
State and federal governments should take urgent steps to discourage the usage of bisphenol A in food containers. They need to decide whether alternatives to the use of bisphenol A are available in certain items that may contribute to human or environmental exposure.
Work Cited
Ali, Manal, et al. “Testing baby bottles for the presence of residual and migrated bisphenol A.” Environmental monitoring and assessment 191.1 (2019): 7.
Di Donato, Marzia, et al. “Recent advances on bisphenol-A and endocrine disruptor effects on human prostate cancer.” Molecular and cellular endocrinology 457 (2017): 35-42.
Hattori, Keika, and Shusuke Yoshihara. “Polycarbonate resin composition and molded article thereof.” U.S. Patent Application No. 16/090,768.
Maćczak, Aneta, et al. “Bisphenol A, bisphenol S, bisphenol F and bisphenol AF induce different oxidative stress and damage in human red blood cells (in vitro study).” Toxicology in vitro 41 (2017): 143-149.
Seachrist, Darcie D., et al. “A review of the carcinogenic potential of bisphenol A.” Reproductive toxicology 59 (2016): 167-182.