New Study Finds BPA Exposure During Pregnancy associated with Male Autism
A new study by the Florey Institute in Melbourne has found a link between prenatal exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) and the development of autism in boys.
BPA is a known endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC). EDCs interfere with the body’s hormonal system by imitating or disrupting our hormones, such as oestrogen. Numerous negative health impacts have been linked to BPA exposure, including breast cancer, prostate cancer, heart disease, and effects on reproduction.
Studies have shown widespread exposure to BPA in the EU, with data finding 92% of adults from 11 European countries had BPA in their urine. People can be exposed to BPA through food and beverages that have been contaminated by BPA in their packaging, as well as via products such as clothing, toys, and receipts.
The new peer-reviewed research examining children in Australia and the US over ten years found associations between BPA exposure in pregnant women and the development of autism traits in their male children.
Researchers found that in the Australian cohort, higher prenatal exposure to BPA was correlated with a greater risk of autism in boys with impaired brain enzyme activity. The researchers say that exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as bisphenols, can disrupt brain enzyme function.
Australia is only voluntarily phasing out BPA in baby bottles. In the EU , BPA was banned in plastic feeding baby bottles in 2011 and was banned in packaging containing food for babies and children under three years in 2018. Recently, an expert committee voted to ban BPA and other hazardous bisphenols in certain food contact materials. However, companies can still request authorisation to continue using them. Additionally, this does not address the risk of contamination from BPA and other bisphenols from recycled food contact materials or other products.
CHEM Trust is calling for bisphenols to be restricted as a group to prevent one bisphenol from being replaced with other harmful bisphenols.
Read more on BPA on our webpage and our new BPA blog.
Read more on the effects of harmful chemicals on brain development in our No Brainer Report.
