Preface

Bisphenols are a group of chemicals that have been used to manufacture plastics, epoxy resins, and other products since the 1960s. Humans are exposed to these chemicals via ingestion, inhalation, or medical procedures.

Bisphenol-A (BPA) was initially investigated for pharmaceutical use as a synthetic estrogen in the 1930s and today it is suggested to be a weakly estrogenic "endocrine disruptor." The results of some recent studies, in which animals were exposed to low doses of this chemical, describe subtle effects in laboratory animals.

BPA was found to be present in urine, amniotic fluid, and breast milk according to the results of several well-conducted studies in humans. BPA may cause reproductive, developmental, and systemic toxic effects and there are questions about its potential impact, particularly on children's health and the environment. Due to these concerns, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Canadian government have banned BPA in baby formula packaging, infant bottles, and sippy cups, but declared it safe for other uses. France has the strictest BPA regulations in Europe and the French government has banned BPA in all food and beverage packaging and utensils since 2015. The European Union expanded its restrictions on the use of BPA in food packaging, building on a previous ban of the chemical in infant bottles. BPA containing thermal receipts (≥ 0.02%) is no longer sold in Europe, effectively banning its use. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says it has no plans to introduce BPA regulations, though it has raised concerns over its health and environmental effects.

There are several alternatives to BPA today, although they also have a "bisphenol" structure. For example, bisphenol S (BPS) and bisphenol F (BPF) are widely used in products that are labeled as "BPA-free." BPS is generally more tolerant to heat and is more photo-resistant than BPA. BPS is used in fast-drying epoxy glues, as a corrosion inhibitor, and a reactant in polymer reactions. BPS is also present in thermal receipts, mailing envelopes, tickets, airplane boarding passes, and luggage tags.

BPF, on the other hand, is used in the production of plastics, lacquers, structural adhesives, the inner lining of soda cans, dental materials, grouts, coatings, tank/pipe linings, industrial flooring, road and bridge deck toppings, and electrical varnishes. BPF is also utilized in liners, adhesives, plastics, and the coating of drinks and food cans. Although there are not yet as many studies on these alternatives as there are on BPA, the results of different in vitro and in vivo research suggest that these alternatives may also lead to toxic effects. Therefore, both BPS and BPF cannot be considered "safe," and more research should be conducted in order to understand their mechanisms of toxicity in different organs and systems. Moreover, their use should be restricted like that of BPA if they are suggested to cause toxicity in susceptible populations, particularly in babies and young children.

This book focuses on the pathological conditions that may be caused by bisphenol derivatives, detection methods, and regulations in different countries. It presents information on the mechanisms of toxicity of bisphenols and the suggestions of regulatory authorities for the use of bisphenol derivatives in different user products. This book is a valuable reference for readers who want detailed knowledge on the reproductive toxicity of BPA and its alternatives.
