Newer Substitutes For Bisphenol A (BPA) In Consumer Goods Even More Toxic and Can Disrupt Heart Function Easily
Source: Thailand Medical News Jan 13, 2020 4 years, 3 months, 1 week, 5 days, 16 hours, 11 minutes ago
Bisphenol A (
BPA), newer substitutes or counterpart replacement
bisphenosl (
BPS) can hinder
heart function within minutes of a single exposure, according to a new University of Guelph study.
The research is the first to show the instant effects
bisphenols (
BPS) can have on the
heart.
Biomedical Sciences Professor Dr Glen Pyle, who conducted the study with former master's student Dr Melissa Ferguson told
Thailand Medical news, "We expected to find similar effects from
BPS as we have with
BPA, but not at the speed that it worked. This replacement chemical seems to be more potent and
toxic."
BPA or
Bisphenol A, a chemical used in
plastic products, was banned from
baby bottles in Canada in 2010 over concerns that it may leach into foods and cause hormone-related side effects. More manufacturers are now using
BPS as a replacement in their products and labelling them as
BPA-free.
When animal models were given
bisphenol BPA or
BPS in amounts that mimicked typical human levels, their
heart function worsened, especially in females, within minutes of exposure.
These research findings are concerning, as endocrine receptors and metabolic pathways are similar in mice and humans, said Dr Pyle.
Dr Pyle added, "This study raises concerns about the safety of
BPS as a replacement for
BPA. It's particularly worrisome for people with coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes or obesity, because the effects of
BPS could increase the chance of a
heart attack or make a
heart attack more severe. If the
heart is in a precarious position, when you add a stressor you can make it worse."
The study, published recently in the journal
Scientific Reports, entailed treating mouse hearts with
BPA and
BPS at levels typically seen in people. Each chemical on its own was found to depress
heart function by dampening
heart contractions causing slower blood flow. However,
BPS had a quicker impact, within five minutes of exposure.
Dr Pyle added, "Previous research has looked at the chronic effects that can happen when exposed to
BPS over days. But we are the first to show how fast
BPS can work. This is an important finding because it means you don't need to have a buildup of the
chemical over time to experience its harmful effects."
BPS is found in
plastics used for food packaging, including liners for metal cans and other containers, as well as in medical devices such as hospital intravenous lines, dental sealants, and
baby products. It is even found in skincare, toiletries and cosmetics.
Though the body gets rid of
bisphenols quickly, their ubiquitous use in so many consumer goods means that the substance persists.
Dr Pyle advocates banning the substitute chemical
BPS from such consumer products as food and beverage packaging, toys .baby products and thermal paper receipts. He also suggests consumers reduce
plastic use, including single-use
plastics.
Reference: Melissa Ferguson et al, Bisphenol S rapidly depresses heart function through estrogen receptor-β and decreases phospholamban phosphorylation in a sex-dependent manner, Scientific Reports (2019). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-52350-y
