On March 27, 2018, UK-based advocacy group for chemical safety CHEM Trust published a new report entitled “From BPA to BPZ: A toxic soup? – How companies switch from a known hazardous chemical to one with similar properties, and how regulators could stop them.” The report examines how industry is replacing endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) bisphenol A (BPA, CAS 80-05-7) with other bisphenols that likely have similar hazardous properties.
BPA has been widely used “in thermal paper till receipts, polycarbonate water bottles, and food can linings,” Anna Watson explained in an article published by CHEM Trust on the same day. Scientific research has linked exposure to BPA to breast cancer, impaired sperm development, diabetes and obesity, and hyperactivity in children. In June 2017, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) classified BPA as substance of very high concern (SVHC) due to its endocrine disrupting properties with probable serious adverse effects on human health (FPF reported). In February 2018, the European Commission published a new regulation on the use of BPA in plastic food contact materials, varnishes and coatings limiting the allowed migration into food and banning its use in infant ‘sippy’ cups (FPF reported).
Industry has responded to government regulations and consumer concerns by substituting BPA mostly with analogous chemicals such as bisphenol S (BPS, CAS 80-09-1). However, scientific research suggests that BPS, and other BPA analogues, exhibit similar or even more potent toxic properties than BPA (FPF reported). Therefore, CHEM Trust urges EU regulators “to restrict the use of groups of similar chemicals to prevent the substitution of one hazardous chemical with related chemicals that have similar properties.”
Read more
Anna Watson (March 27, 2018). “Companies putting public health at risk by replacing one harmful chemical with similar, potentially toxic, alternatives.” CHEM Trust
Chemical Watch (March 29, 2018). “NGO urges EU phase-out of hazardous chemical groups.”
Joseph James Whitworth (March 30, 2018). “Companies replacing BPA with potentially risky chemicals – CHEM Trust.” Beverage Daily
ChemSec (April 4, 2018). “New report: Companies often substitute BPA for chemicals that are just as bad.”
Reference
CHEM Trust (March 2018). “From BPA to BPZ: A toxic soup? – How companies switch from a known hazardous chemical to one with similar properties, and how regulators could stop them.” (pdf)
