Similar Chemical to BPA Linked to Infertility & Weight Gain–Meet the Bisphenol Sisters

By now you probably know that BPA is something you should avoid. Chances are you know this because you see a ton of plastics in the store that advertise they’re “BPA Free” with a little sticker on their product. It’s the new thing in marketing. Advertise what’s not in your product because the consumer is catching on to all the shit that has been in everything. Trans-Fat free, Non-GMO, No Artificial Sweeteners… it’s all stamped on the front of the box as a helpful way to let you know this product is “safer” than the others; and sometimes it is safer. But not always…

Enter BPA and her bitchy sisters, BPS, BPAF and all the other bisphenols. These chemicals are the equivalent of the mean girls in junior high school attempting to make your daughter’s life living hell. And they can because of all the things they can do to her hormones.

Sometimes chemical replacements are safer and sometimes they are just as bad or worse. This is the case for BPA and her bitchy bisphenol sisters, BPS, BPAF and all the rest of the bisphenols. It’s chemical whack-a-mole according to Brown University epidemiologist Joseph Braun. One toxic chemical is switched out with an alternative that just hasn’t been discovered unsafe yet. In the case of bisphenol A (BPA), the chemical is playing whack-a-mole on your hormones. Study after study has found that BPA has an affect on hormone levels. Exposure to BPA is so prevalent because it’s in our plastic food containers, in the lining of canned goods, and on the receipt paper we touch every time we make a purchase. BPA can get into our bodies and wreaks havoc on the endocrine system linking it to infertility in men and women and early onset puberty.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, BPA is also linked to hormone related cancers such as breast and prostate cancer, and other disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). And in the bonus round, it can make you fat! It’s an obesogen and research data found exposure to babies in the womb resulted in higher body weight in their lifetime. Did I mention BPA also affects your memory? Maybe I forgot, but research found prenatal and neonatal exposure to BPA resulted in motor-learning and memory impairment. (F*ck…where did I put my keys?)

BPA and the rest of the Biphenol Sisters have got to go…

Worst Surprise Ever

With all these damning studies on BPA, bisphenol S (BPS) came out as the replacement. Maybe the S stands for surprise as in “surprise, this is going to f*ck up your hormones too!” Research has shown BPS is just as hormonally active as BPA, so it’s still a nightmare for the endocrine system. Both BPA and BPS affected neurodevelopment and suggested increased hyperactivity and other behavioral disturbances with prenatal exposure.

Are you kidding me? You mean this chemical is ALSO linked to hyperactivity? Yup, basically. Feeling stabby yet? Grumpy cat sure is annoyed at this one because he has a “BPA-Free” bowl that is made from BPS.

Bisphenol As F*ck–Look Out for Replacements

Naturally the other BPA alternative, called BPAF (seriously) is just as terrible of a sibling in this bisphenol family. The third bitch of the bunch has been found to have long-term effects on the hormones– shocker! Estrogen levels went up and testosterone levels went down in the zebrafish used in one study of BPAF. Bisphenol AF is quickly absorbed into the body and research found it took longer to be eliminated from the female subjects than the male ones.

Unfriend Them All–Actions You Can Take Today

Let’s face it, our hormones are enough to handle on their own. We don’t need the bisphenol family getting in there and messing around with things, sending our periods early and then leaving us infertile. We don’t need BPA, BPS, or BPAF making us fat and forgetful with a chance of cancer on the horizon.

• Instead of BPA tainted plastics, opt for fresh foods instead of packaged foods.
• Store food in stainless steel or glass containers and use glass or stainless drinking vessels as well.
• Avoid heating plastics at all costs! BPA and her sisters have a tendency to leach into your food even more so when heated.
• Avoid touching your receipts. Ask for an email receipt if you can to keep from touching the BPA coated receipt paper.

Every little bit of BPA reduction helps and if you’re feeling overwhelmed be sure to check out Green Enough: Eat Better, Live Cleaner, Be Happier (All Without Driving Your Family Crazy!) for more tips on how to kick hormone disrupting chemicals to the curb in your home.