BPA and Men: A Bad Match

New evidence suggests that bisphenol-A (BPA) can cause sexual dysfunction in men, especially those exposed to high levels at work. Investigators from Kaiser Permanente's Division of Research in Oakland, CA, who reviewed the health records of 550 factory workers in China found that those who worked with BPA were four times more likely to report some type of sexual dysfunction than were men in the factory who didn't work with the chemical. This is the first study to link BPA to harm in humans. Other research has demonstrated developmental changes in animals exposed to the chemical. In the new study, 15.5 percent of men exposed to BPA reported erectile dysfunction more than half the time compared to only 4.4 percent of men who weren't exposed to BPA. In addition, 13.9 percent of the men exposed to BPA complained of difficulty ejaculating compared to 2.5 percent of men who weren't exposed. However, the BPA levels in question were about 50 times what the average individual experiences. Don't look for any change in policies pertaining to BPA as a result of this study. More evidence from other human studies will be needed to determine what levels, if any, of BPA are safe for humans.

My take? Until we know more about any human health risks, I recommend avoiding plastics containing BPA. Substitute those made with polypropylene (#5 PP), high-density polyethylene (#2 HDPE), and low-density polyethylene (#4 LDPE). You can also reduce your exposure by buying foods and beverages frozen or packed in glass jars or bottles instead of cans lined with an epoxy containing BPA.

Comments

[Susan]

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Susan