Study links Bisphenol A to heart disease, diabetes

Bisphenol A, the highly controversial chemical found in food containers and other household products, is linked with heart disease and type 2 diabetes, new research suggests.

In a study of nearly 1,500 people, researchers in the United Kingdom found that subjects who were diagnosed with heart disease or diabetes had higher concentrations of BPA in their urine.

"There's now a scientific question mark over the safety of bisphenol A in humans, especially in human adults, that needs to be followed up," lead study author Dr. David Melzer, of Peninsula Medical School in Exeter, told CTV News.

The findings are published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

BPA is a chemical used in the manufacture of a wide range of plastic consumer products, from beverage containers to dental sealants to car interiors.

Scientists cannot yet agree on how much BPA exposure is safe for humans.

BPA is so prevalent that it is detectable in more than 90 per cent of the U.S. population, the researchers noted.

Studies have found:

When mice are exposed to BPA they suffer severe health effects such as tumours and fertility problems.
Continuous, low doses of BPA affect communication between neurons in the brain, which help us understand and remember experiences.

A recent study by CTV News and the Globe and Mail found that BPA leached out of cans that were heated to temperatures similar to those used during the sterilization process.

In the wake of that research, Federal Health Minister Tony Clement announced that Canada would be the first country to label BPA a dangerous substance and would ban the use of BPA in baby bottles.

This study is the first research to find an association between normal levels of BPA exposure in humans with specific health problems, the researchers said.

"We were very surprised at all the results in the sense that this is the first big study in a human population," Melzer said.

The scientists analyzed urinary BPA concentrations from 1,455 adults aged 18 to 74 who participated in the British National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2003-2004.

Study subjects whose BPA readings were in the highest 25 per cent had three times the odds of developing cardiovascular disease and 2.4 times the odds of developing diabetes compared to subjects whose BPA levels were in the lowest 25 per cent.

However, the study does not answer how or if BPA might be causing diabetes or heart disease, Professor Jack Bend of the University of Western Ontario told CTV News.

"Based on this association, I wouldn't myself be terribly concerned at this time," Bend, a professor in the department of pathology, said. "BPA may contribute to chronic disease, but in fact we don't have enough information to make that a real association."

A spokesperson for a prominent Canadian environmental advocacy group said this new study supports the group's call for a complete ban on the use of BPA.

"We need to just get rid of this chemical entirely from food packaging to protect adults as well as kids," Environmental Defence's Rick Smith told CTV News.

Melzer and his research team hope to release more data from their study by the end of this year.

Bisphenol A is mainly used to make a clear plastic polycarbonate which will withstand high temperatures, and epoxy resins to line the insides of tin and aluminium cans to prevent corrosion from the food and drinks they contain.

Some of the products which might contain bisphenol A include:

Hard clear plastic and some tinted water bottles
Hard clear plastic baby feeding bottles
Hard plastic baby toys
Food storage containers, plastic bowls and tableware
Cans of baked beans, soup, vegetables, fizzy drinks
Dental sealant to prevent cavities
Electronic equipment and CDs
Spray-on flame retardants

Comments are now closed for this story

Norm
said

Bring Back Glass containers...

John
said

Woah..now that is some news..For years I have used plastic containers for my lunches and reheat in microwave. I love canned baked beans which I have eaten since a teenager. Now 58 and last year I had quad bypass...a few months ago I was diagnosed with diabetes 2...Who and where can I sue..!?

Albert
said

We're all gonna die of something. Don't worry about it, just sit back and enjoy your life.

Rachel
said

I wonder if they took in to consideration the fact that when you have Diabetes tend to drink more water? and if you are drinking out of a waterbottle that has BPA in it all day, maybe they would have more in them?... had I not heard in an earlier study that this chemical seems to come out of they system fairly quickly?... it would be much more helpfull to the public if insted of trying to scare us with every report... just inform.

Nancy
said

Brian, you have no idea what you're talking about. I never said the lives of mice are more important than the life of a human being; on the contrary, I said that animal experiments are unreliable and that many humans die because of their results. We should be using human tissue and computer-generated human models. These technologies are available and many respectable scientists use them , problem is they are more expensive than mice, rats or monkeys. In the meantime, people continue to die and experiments render faulty results.
There is nothing wrong about caring about all life, human and animal. There is no reason to compromise when other means are available.
You are very quick to judge.

jmrSudbury
said

Interesting questions Dale. It seems that the fertility rates are declining because people are chosing to have fewer kids. Diabetes is more common because of the rise in obesity. Heart disease rates are not improving because smoking is not the primary contributor or because of the increase in obesity.

This study is interesting from a science perspective, but is totally useless to the general population. This article is a waste of time. All it does is get unknowledgeable people like Dd suggesting that the FDA should ban BPA.

John M Reynolds

bad assumptions
said

hmmmm....pre-packaged foods come in containers. Many pre-packaged containers have BPA. A lot pre-packaged food is fattening. Fattening foods can lead to diabetes and heart failure. The BPA in the blood could just be correlational to how much pre-packaged food these people eat.

BTW it IS PC (polycarbonate) that has BPA not PVC (polyvinylchloride).

jb
said

Wake Up America! We the American people, are being taken for a ride by our dear elite ones - the Illuminati. They are the ones creating havoc ( ie plastic bottles, storms, medicines and yes, even our foods.)

What ISN'T toxic these days?
said

I'm so sick of these medical researches that constantly change directions....One week something's okay, the next...it's blacklisted.

Society is turning into one big case of hypochondriasis.

Melissa from Toronto
said

This study is not claiming that BPA is the cause of those health problems, only that there's a link (somehow ppl with type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease tend to have higher levels of BPA). This linkage could happen in many different ways...

Some examples:
- Those who have diabetes and cardiovascular problems are more likely to be overweight, so maybe they ate more processed foods bought in cans, and therefore have higher BPA levels in their urine.
- Or, maybe they just ate more food in general to have a greater exposure.
- Maybe physical activity helps the body breakdown BPA, so ppl with those conditions (who tend to be less physically active) have a greater buildup.

We really don't know how it's all related...just that there's some link.

However, there is a possibility that it really is causal, we just don't know. It will require more research to help narrow it down.

Tazzy
said

Well,well they've done it again. OK, let's have the LIST OF ITEMS which do not contain BPA. I do not understand. Why not do the RESEARCH before making the PRODUCT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Brian, a voice of reason
said

Wow. I can't believe the number of people dismissing this article. I assume because acknowledging the truth is not at all convenient for their lifestyles. Keep BPA on the market and let people like Will or Greg die earlier than me. That simply means, more organic tasty food for me.

Roger T
said

If readers and consumers don't already know, everything you do, don't do, eat or don't eat will kill you.

All these studies are useless unless individuals are uneducated on their own as to what to or not to do/eat. Doesn't take science to figure out what is good for you and what is bad.

Alberta Believer
said

I'm pretty sure other factors were involved in the results for some samples were either ignored or missed completely...both global warming and evolution have as many strong detractors as they do.

There is no way you can come to such conclusions in the legal world without have spent several months (or in this case years) examining all other potential and likely factors affecting or potentially affecting the subject matter.

I guess when one's money or freedom is on the line there's less room for "ooops!"

Michelle
said

Does the FDA ever ban anything that makes moola.Flouride,the plethera of carcinogens in vaccines,our water is full of birth control residues,aspartame,MSG,palm oils,pesticides.They rely on billion dollar studies instead of good ol common sence.Its really amazing what so-called researchers know about rodents.I for one have switched to glass containers for storing food and canning my own food as much as possible.My philosophy is,if God didnt make it dont put it in your body.

Kristen Paradise, California
said

I have a few of the Nalgene bottles that they claim have BPA in them. The reason that I bought them was because I got tired of throwing away cheap plastic bottles and making more garbage. My fiance' and I both drink from these bottles and take them with us when we go for a picnic or what not. I am far more concerned over what we are being subjected to in the first few months of life with the ten million vaccines that they have to make laws over.

Not to mention about this plastic scare what about all the things that are made from plastic that we don't put food or water in? Next you are going to tell me that the plastic my motorcycle helmet is made from is going to give me cancer because I sweat in my helmet on a hot day or because it will sit on my head for hours at a time?

Please. Why don't we stop scaring the American public and start educating them with information and not fear.

Shamaro
said

Fortunately we found out about the dangers of this chemical in baby bottles only a month after our daughter was born.

However, I hope that with our oldest children, that this chemical won't have any reaction. So far so good.

These are the risks we take as a society thinking that by using chemicals in our daily products won't be harmful. However it always seems as testing becomes more sophisticated, we find out that none of this is good for you.

If we ban everything with chemicals in for the public to consume, there wont' be anything left for us to consume.

Chris - Freddy
said

Wow ..scare tactics at their best.

Anyone here a smoker? / Drinker?

More things in energy drinks will hurt you than this.

By the way...eat what's in the plastic...not then plastic themselves. OMG..I just realized children's toys are plastic too (& they never chew on those) Back to good old wood & steel I guess.

Recognize that a 'scary' story sells better.....

Karen
said

It just goes to show you that a little information can be a dangerous thing.If we listened to all of the health information that bombards us daily, we would end up scared to death of even waking up every morning.....it almost borders on fear mongering. What is sad is that there are millions of parents that have used these bottles to feed their babies and now are sitting there wondering about the potential health effects on their grown children. Wouldn't it make more sense to take some of that funding that goes into aftermarket research and put it into hiring more Food Inspectors to monitor what is getting into our food during processing or into reserching these products.....BEFORE IT IS INGESTED OR USED? Apparently the best way our government works is reactively.....Did the government not learn anything from the Listeriosis outbreak..such as their role in all of this?

Nick in Ottawa
said

BPA, Chlorine, Pesticides, Teflon, Pam, Lysol...the list goes on and on of chemicals we use in our daily lives that are not necessarily good for you. Some people will go to great lengths to block all of these out of their lifestyles, yet they end up getting hit by a bus. Stop going to great lengths and buying useless containers that contain no BPA. You're simply encouraging the business of "selling a product to make YOU feel better inside". Those who buy BPA free bottles are nothing different than those who think buying carbon offsets actually saves the environment...I mean, there aren't ppl out there who would take the money you throw at them to make you feel better inside are there?

Heck, last week, on THIS site, there was a story published indicating that bottles have far less BPA in them than originally thought, about 2000 parts less than what is considered "dangerous to humans".

Mike
said

First...the scientists (who are British) used data from the U.S. Population, and not Britian.

Now for the study. It uses what they call a spot urine test, where participants give a single urine sample at the time of their study participation. So they take a BPA measurement from a single point in time and see how it correlates with a disease the person may have had for 20 years.

Sure, it could be that there is a legitimate correlation between BPA and, say, heart attacks or diabetes. Or it could be that people who have had heart attacks are trying to live healthier and are drinking more bottled water, hence the higher BPA levels.

Read the article for yourselves, folks. There's nothing to panic over.

Sick of scientific fearmongering
said

Another study...more fearmongering. We can't breathe anymore because it causes cancer. We can't eat white bread or pasta because that causes kidney cancer. We can't eat anything grilled on the barbecue because that causes stomach and colon cancer. We can't drink water because it causes colon cancer. We can't eat organic food because that causes e. coli infections and yup, leads to cancer! So tell us educated scientists, what are we to eat and drink seeing how you think everything causes cancer?

Doug BC
said

It's to bad that the same sciences that make modern livig so much affordable,and a lot easier,is also able to determine hazzards that previously would have gone undiscovered.While I too have fond memories of 'the good old days",I think it's fair to say most of us would fid a life in which a person could die from influence or some simple infection quite intolerable.
I'm a bit skeptical about studies like this.Especially about the "initial" findings.
That said,it's likely wise to "limit exposure" to any and all substances that come into question.That would include a long list of man made chemical thngs,but also a lot of naturally occuring substances.
Moderation is usually the easiest way to stay healthy while the just is out.These findings can be a nuisance to follow,but we should remember,back in the "good old days",we thought mercury and lead were good things for our kids to play with.
What consumers in the modern world need more than anything,is access to reliable information.That,my friends,is the one thing we have more of in spades,and I am glad for that.

Brian
said

Good point Nancy. The lives of mice are much more important than the lives of your fellow humans.

Nancy
said

Mice? What do mice and people have in common? What is the point of continuing archaic tests on animals when experience tells us that animal testing is unreliable? Anyone remember that drug in the UK last year that was successful on monkeys but killed people?
I can't believe our tax dollars continue to subsidize animal experimentation. I happen to like mice and these cruel tests really anger me. You'd think "scientists" would know better...
We know BPA is dangerous. Ban it already and move on.

kate
said

I don't know why anyone would be surprised by this. Cancer, diabetes, and a host of other diseases including children being born with diseases and mental conditions in record numbers have all increased in the past 2 or 3 decades. Our foods are full of chemicals, our cans and plastics are all chemical based - most of which are proven to be cancer causing, not to mention everything else in the environment that is wrong. Maybe on their own, small doses of these are not toxic but compounded they are affecting us and yet people still don't have a clue? We should be directing our energies towards corporations and government and demand transparency and honesty in what is going into our systems and the air that we're breathing. Seems people only care about convenience nowadays and then they're puzzled when they get ill. You have to treat the root cause in order to cure the disease.

Bob
said

I found a great water company here in Toronto who have delivery of large bottles of water in glass.

CS
said

as parents we are all wondering WHY so many of our children now have so many things wrong with them - asthma - allergies - ADD/HD - autism.... the list goes on & on.

hmmmmm could it be from all the chemicals we are exposed to starting in the womb?

everything is processed, polluted or full of chemicals now - our clothes our food our water - the air.

Gail (Hamilton)
said

Science is an ongoing experiment. Unfortunately, we're the guinea pigs. I find their messages scare you one minute and the next, hey it's okay. Being made aware of the possibilities gets one thinking about the effects, but convincing people is a harder obstacle, when we constantly get mixed messages.

ROB BREEN
said

Back when i was a wee lassy all we had were glass bottles. They should go back to the old days. I do not have children of my own (adopted) but I know I wouldn't even give my kitty which i Love so much a BPA bottle. I would hate to see my kitty get sick or ill from that chemical.

Dd
said

And yet the FDA still refuses to ban it.

A word of warning when you go out to buy BPA free water containers etc. I found some that said it was "FDA approved." Since the FDA has not banned it, it is NOT an indication that the container is BPA free.

Steer clear of plastics with recycling number 7 and number 3 (PVC).

Numbers 1 (PET), 2 (HDPE), 4 (LDPE), 5 (polypropylene), and 6 (polystyrene) are BPA free.

To be sure, drink hot liquids from a glass or stainless steel (not made in China) mug.

Dale Wilson
said

"limit exposure until more research is done"

How, exactly, do we do that? We don't use a lot of canned goods but we do use some. As a consumer, how do I know if this chemical is used in the cans? No doubt the next study will prove that the stuff is good for you but until then, how are we to know? If this stuff is as bad as the study indicates, this could be the answer to a number of puzzling questions out there right now - why are fertility rates declining, why is diabetes becoming so much more common and why are heart disease rates not showing much improvement despite a decline in smoking etc.

James
said

Funny we are just learning this now. What about a study on the use of chlorine to treat our water and heart, kidney and cancer links. Are we being poisoned because of the almighty dollar? There are other ways to treat water you know.

GREG TROLLEY
said

I think that these studies find whatever they want. Next thing you know they are going to say that reading causes tumours or that petting a big fluffy puppy dog causes genital warts. Life was much simpler 30 years ago.

Will
said

Did anyone record the test subjects' diets, body weight, life style choices..?? Probably not.

Related Websites

Journal of the American Medical Association

Today's Top Stories

Investigators remove a package containing a human foot from the Conservative Party of Canada office in Ottawa, Tuesday, May 29, 2012.

Pick your location

Top Stories -

News Sections

News Programs

Features

Browse: