On April 16, 2014 the scientific journal Nature published a journalistic article by writer Josie Glausiusz, discussing the available alternatives for bisphenol A (BPA), their safety and technical performance (Glausiusz 2014). Replacements for bisphenol A can be found in plastic baby bottles and other food contact materials for children, as well as in thermal papers for receipts or airplane tickets. Often, the closely-related bisphenol S is used in products advertised as “BPA-free”. However, several studies have shown that bisphenol S is identical to BPA in its ability to bind to the estrogen receptor, and therefore also of potential concern (FPF background article). A major difficulty has been the replacement of BPA in food and beverage cans, where technical demands vary based on food type. Researchers are working on alternative can coatings with monomers also used in the BPA-free plastic Tritan which has recently come under discussion for alleged endocrine disruption (FPF reported). Furthermore, Glausiusz writes about chemical safety concerns addressing plastics in general, based on mixture toxicity and endocrine disruption properties of some monomers, additives and non-intentionally added substances. An alternative approach to developing safer products, the Tiered Protocol for Endocrine Disruption (TiPED), is also discussed (FPF reported).
Read more
Glausiusz (April 16, 2014). “Toxicology: The plastics puzzle.” Nature 508:306-308.
FPF article “Bisphenol S”
FPF article “Endocrine disruption and the next generation of chemicals”
FPF article “Tritan® case continued: Bittner appeals“
