Six Classes 4. Endocrine Disruptors in Plastic:

Bisphenol A & Phthalates Carol Kwiatkowski, PhD

Executive Director, The Endocrine Disruption Exchange

     

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Overview

•  Introduction to endocrine disruption

•  Bisphenol A

•  Phthalates

•  How to reduce exposure Photo  by  onebigfish  

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The Endocrine System

Image  from  HCWH  Europe/Mariana  Rei.  (2013)  

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Functions of the Endocrine System

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Ø Organ  formaSon  and  growth  Ø Sexual  maturaSon  Ø Intelligence  Ø Mood  and  bonding  behaviors  Ø   Sleep  paVerns  Ø AppeSte  and  thirst  Ø Stress  response  

Ø Bone  density  Ø Blood  pressure  Ø Blood  sugar  Ø Cholesterol  levels  Ø Metabolic  level  Ø Fat  storage  Ø Ability  to  fight  illness  

What is an Endocrine Disruptor?

An endocrine disruptor is an exogenous chemical, or mixture of chemicals, that can interfere with any aspect of hormone action. (The Endocrine Society)

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Perfluorinated Compounds Flame Retardants

Antimicrobials Surfactants

Solvents Plastics

Dyes

Personal Care Products Household Products Cleaning Products Electronics Furniture Clothing Toys    

The Fossil Fuel Connection

8   Photo  by  LyneVeRadio  

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Where are endocrine disruptors?

• Food, Water • Soil, Air

• Bodily fluids • Babies      

Why should we be concerned?

• Effects at very low concentrations

• Permanent effects from prenatal and early childhood exposure

• Effects expressed in multiple generations

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Bisphenol A

•  Uses – Polycarbonate resins (hard plastics)

– Epoxy resins (linings)

– Flame retardants, thermal cash register receipt paper, and in other products

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Photo  by  john.trif  

Bisphenol A Production

•  Up to 6 billion pounds produced globally per year

•  Detected in more than 90% of people tested

•  How does it get in us?

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Bisphenol A– Effects in Humans

•  TEDX Review of Human Health Effects

– Over 75 human studies showed adverse health effects •  Reproductive, thyroid, immune, metabolic •  In utero exposure – spontaneous abortion, childhood obesity,

neurodevelopment, behavior, asthma/wheeze

– Some effects seen at BPA levels 5000 times lower than government ‘safe’ levels    

Rochester  JR,  Bisphenol  A  and  Human  Health:  A  review  of  the  literature.    ReproducSve  Toxicology.  2013  42C:132-­‐155  

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Bisphenol A - Regulatory Status

•  In the United States – Baby bottle and sippy cup ban (FDA- 2012) – Food packaging and receipt paper bans

(States)

•  Internationally – BPA is toxic (Canada) – Baby bottles (EU, Canada) – Food packaging (France)

•  What is being used instead? 14  

bisphenol  S  

Phthalates        

•  Uses – Makes plastics softer

and more flexible

– Makes fragrances last longer

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Photo  by  Jeff  Rhines  

Phthalates        

•  Production volume (as reported to EPA for 2011)

–  DEHP 30 million pounds, DINP 24 million pounds

•  Human exposure

–  Phthalate metabolites detected in more than 97% of people tested

•  How do they get in us?  

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DEHP  

Photo  by  Eric  Peacock  

Phthalates– Effects in Humans

•  In prenatally exposed baby boys: shorter ano-genital distance, incomplete testicular descent, and increased risk of hypospadias

•  In others: Increased abdominal obesity and insulin resistance, altered hormone levels, reduced sperm viability, earlier breast development, asthma

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Phthalates - Regulatory Status

•  In the United States – Bans on some phthalates in ‘toys that

can be placed in the mouth’

•  Internationally – Limited bans in children's products, food

packaging and medical devices (EU)

•  Alternatives?

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Labeling

•  No labeling laws specific to BPA and phthalates in the U.S.

•  BPA-free and Phthalate-free •  Future laws

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Reducing harmful exposures

•  Purchase/Promote – BPA-free and Phthalate-free products – Fragrance-free products – Stainless steel (unlined) or glass water

bottles – Glass or ceramic food containers instead

of plastic or cans – BPA-free receipt paper – Hand washing (especially for cashiers)

Photo  by  Sean  Dreilinger  

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Reducing harmful exposures

•  Demand – Better disclosure/labeling of product

ingredients – Better laws to protect consumers – Research to prove that a chemical is safe

before it is introduced to the market – Green chemistry incentives

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Take Home Points •  Low level exposure to endocrine

disruptors is harmful, particularly for pregnant women and children

•  Effects of BPA and phthalates are found at levels considered safe by the EPA

•  Product labeling should be required

•  Alternatives appear when they are demanded, but ‘regrettable substitutions’ must be avoided

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Follow-up Questions •  Are BPA or phthalates in the products you

manufacture, sell, or use?

•  What functions do they serve?

•  How necessary are these functions?

•  What alternatives have you investigated?

If you have interest in continuing this discussion contact: Erika Houtz Erika@GreenSciencePolicy.org For more information on endocrine disruptors go to TEDX’s website at endocrinedisruption.org

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