Bisphenol A (BPA) has been suspected of being toxic since 1930 when it was found to disrupt the hormones in rats. Now 78 years later, JAMA has published a study which lends further support to the toxic effects of BPA.
The first major epidemiological study of bisphenol A, a common ingredient in baby bottles and drink containers, suggests that relatively higher doses of the chemical double the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Reference: Science
Bisphenol A is used extensively in epoxy resins lining food and beverage containers and as a monomer in polycarbonate plastics in many consumer products. Widespread and continuous exposure to BPA, primarily through food but also through drinking water, dental sealants, dermal exposure, and inhalation of household dusts, is evident from the presence of detectable levels of BPA in more than 90% of the US population.
Reference: JAMA
However, the study had a small sample size with 1455 adults aged 18 to 74 of of which 79 developed heart disease. It may be argued that the study may be underpowered to be able to confidently determine the relationship of BPA exposure (and how much BPA) to toxicity. Repeating the study with a much higher sample size will give us more definite answers.
Of note: Use of Bisphenol A has been banned for use in baby bottles in Canada due to its perceived risk of toxicity.
Update (September 20, 2008):
Video from The Jama Report on BPA
Tags: diabetes, Heart Attack, Myocardial Infarction, Plastic, poison, polycarbonate, toxin
[...] Il Bisfenolo A o BPA ha la molecola molto simile ad un ormone della crescita dell’uomo e già nel 1930 fu segnalato il pericolo su questa sostanza. Oggi il mondo scientifico è preoccupato [...]