Over the last few years, we’ve discussed BPA (Bisphenol-A), particularly with regard to its potential adverse effects as an endocrine disrupter. While there are plenty of substances in our lives that also fall into this category, the ubiquitous nature of BPA, in everything from plastics and water bottles to the lining of canned food and food packaging. Studies surrounding BPA caused enough concern for the FDA to ban its use in baby bottles and sippy cups. As use of BPA has tapered off some, manufacturers have attempted to replace it, but as new alternatives are presented, recent research complicates this hunt for a suitable alternative. Enter BPS and a recently published study in the journal, Environmental Health Perspectives.

BPA has been used in plastics for over half a century. Used to harden plastics and to make resins, most commonly used in lining of canned food containers, BPA has a long history of use, and nearly as long of a history of study. While BPA does have the ability to disrupt endocrine function and mimic the effects of natural estrogen, it is fairly easily metabolized in the body. At this point, the EPA has set safe standards for BPA, but many manufacturers have opted to remove it from their products all together. In seeking an alternative, BPS (Bisphenol-S) has been used as the alternative substance in some “BPA free” products. As a better alternative, is BPS a replacement for BPA?

BPS is structurally similar to BPA, and on a most basic level, there are likely to be several characteristics that both share. Research on exposure to BPS is really in its infancy at this point, but a recent study has shown that BPS is linked to irregular heartbeats (arrhythmia) in female lab rats. Disrupting of the heart cells ability to store calcium, BPS is beginning to lose some luster as a suitable replacement.

What does this mean? Right now, not too terribly much. The research was somewhat limited, and effects on animals and effects on humans aren’t always the same. What is clear is that as industry pushes ahead with alternatives to BPA, science has to keep pace with researching and vetting new compounds and substances.

Author: K. Gilmore

To read the abstract of this research or a summary of other research on BPA.