Six Classes 4. Endocrine Disruptors in Plastic:
Bisphenol A & Phthalates Carol Kwiatkowski, PhD
Executive Director, The Endocrine Disruption Exchange
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Overview
• Introduction to endocrine disruption
• Bisphenol A
• Phthalates
• How to reduce exposure Photo by onebigfish
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The Endocrine System
Image from HCWH Europe/Mariana Rei. (2013)
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Functions of the Endocrine System
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Ø Organ formaSon and growth Ø Sexual maturaSon Ø Intelligence Ø Mood and bonding behaviors Ø Sleep paVerns Ø AppeSte and thirst Ø Stress response
Ø Bone density Ø Blood pressure Ø Blood sugar Ø Cholesterol levels Ø Metabolic level Ø Fat storage Ø Ability to fight illness
What is an Endocrine Disruptor?
An endocrine disruptor is an exogenous chemical, or mixture of chemicals, that can interfere with any aspect of hormone action. (The Endocrine Society)
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Perfluorinated Compounds Flame Retardants
Antimicrobials Surfactants
Solvents Plastics
Dyes
Personal Care Products Household Products Cleaning Products Electronics Furniture Clothing Toys
The Fossil Fuel Connection
8 Photo by LyneVeRadio
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Where are endocrine disruptors?
• Food, Water • Soil, Air
• Bodily fluids • Babies
Why should we be concerned?
• Effects at very low concentrations
• Permanent effects from prenatal and early childhood exposure
• Effects expressed in multiple generations
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Bisphenol A
• Uses – Polycarbonate resins (hard plastics)
– Epoxy resins (linings)
– Flame retardants, thermal cash register receipt paper, and in other products
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Photo by john.trif
Bisphenol A Production
• Up to 6 billion pounds produced globally per year
• Detected in more than 90% of people tested
• How does it get in us?
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Bisphenol A– Effects in Humans
• TEDX Review of Human Health Effects
– Over 75 human studies showed adverse health effects • Reproductive, thyroid, immune, metabolic • In utero exposure – spontaneous abortion, childhood obesity,
neurodevelopment, behavior, asthma/wheeze
– Some effects seen at BPA levels 5000 times lower than government ‘safe’ levels
Rochester JR, Bisphenol A and Human Health: A review of the literature. ReproducSve Toxicology. 2013 42C:132-‐155
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Bisphenol A - Regulatory Status
• In the United States – Baby bottle and sippy cup ban (FDA- 2012) – Food packaging and receipt paper bans
(States)
• Internationally – BPA is toxic (Canada) – Baby bottles (EU, Canada) – Food packaging (France)
• What is being used instead? 14
bisphenol S
Phthalates
• Uses – Makes plastics softer
and more flexible
– Makes fragrances last longer
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Photo by Jeff Rhines
Phthalates
• Production volume (as reported to EPA for 2011)
– DEHP 30 million pounds, DINP 24 million pounds
• Human exposure
– Phthalate metabolites detected in more than 97% of people tested
• How do they get in us?
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DEHP
Photo by Eric Peacock
Phthalates– Effects in Humans
• In prenatally exposed baby boys: shorter ano-genital distance, incomplete testicular descent, and increased risk of hypospadias
• In others: Increased abdominal obesity and insulin resistance, altered hormone levels, reduced sperm viability, earlier breast development, asthma
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Phthalates - Regulatory Status
• In the United States – Bans on some phthalates in ‘toys that
can be placed in the mouth’
• Internationally – Limited bans in children's products, food
packaging and medical devices (EU)
• Alternatives?
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Labeling
• No labeling laws specific to BPA and phthalates in the U.S.
• BPA-free and Phthalate-free • Future laws
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Reducing harmful exposures
• Purchase/Promote – BPA-free and Phthalate-free products – Fragrance-free products – Stainless steel (unlined) or glass water
bottles – Glass or ceramic food containers instead
of plastic or cans – BPA-free receipt paper – Hand washing (especially for cashiers)
Photo by Sean Dreilinger
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Reducing harmful exposures
• Demand – Better disclosure/labeling of product
ingredients – Better laws to protect consumers – Research to prove that a chemical is safe
before it is introduced to the market – Green chemistry incentives
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Take Home Points • Low level exposure to endocrine
disruptors is harmful, particularly for pregnant women and children
• Effects of BPA and phthalates are found at levels considered safe by the EPA
• Product labeling should be required
• Alternatives appear when they are demanded, but ‘regrettable substitutions’ must be avoided
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Follow-up Questions • Are BPA or phthalates in the products you
manufacture, sell, or use?
• What functions do they serve?
• How necessary are these functions?
• What alternatives have you investigated?
If you have interest in continuing this discussion contact: Erika Houtz [email protected] For more information on endocrine disruptors go to TEDX’s website at endocrinedisruption.org
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