Omar Khalid
Bisphenol A (BPA) is an organic synthetic compound used in the manufacture of plastics, particularly polycarbonate, and epoxy resins. While the FDA has not indicated any harm from BPA in food and beverage packaging, many consumers want to avoid it. To identify if a plastic product is BPA-free, you can look for a BPA-free label or check the resin identification code, often called the recycling symbol, usually found at the bottom of the product. Plastics with codes 1 (PET or polyethylene terephthalate), 2 (HDPE or high-density polyethylene), 4 (LDPE or low-density polyethylene), 5 (PP or polypropylene), and 6 (PS or polystyrene) are considered BPA-free. Code 3 (PVC or polyvinyl chloride) often contains BPA, and while not all products with code 7 have BPA, it is best to avoid them if you want to steer clear of the compound.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How to identify if plastic is BPA-free | Look for the resin identification code, often called the recycling symbol, printed on the plastic object. |
| Recyclable plastics that are BPA-free | 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 |
| Plastics with BPA | 3, 7 |
| Plastic products with a recycling code of 7 | May or may not contain BPA. Only polycarbonate items are made using BPA. |
| Plastic products with a recycling code of 3 | May contain BPA. |
| Plastic products with a recycling code of 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 | Are considered safe and BPA-free. |
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What You'll Learn
How to identify BPA-free plastic
Identifying BPA-free plastic is important as it can affect the brain, the prostate gland of fetuses, infants, and children, and it might increase blood pressure. BPA is also being phased out of plastic manufacturing.
Firstly, opaque plastics are likely to be BPA-free. If the plastic is clear, hard, and unbreakable, it may contain BPA.
Secondly, look for a plastic resin identification code, usually found on the bottom of the product. This will be a number between 1 and 7, encased by a triangle of three arrows. Numbers 1, 2, 4, 5, and sometimes 6 indicate that the product is BPA-free. Numbers 3 and 7 indicate that the product may contain BPA.
Thirdly, if the product is labelled as unbreakable or microwave-safe, it may contain BPA. If it is labelled as hand-wash only, it is likely to be BPA-free.
Finally, older plastics are more likely to contain BPA and less likely to have identifying numbers, so it is best to discard them.
If you are still unsure, choose non-plastic food and beverage containers. Before the widespread adoption of plastic, baby bottles, mixing bowls, and storage containers were typically made of glass, ceramic, or stainless steel.
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Is BPA harmful to humans?
BPA, or Bisphenol A, is an organic synthetic compound that has been used in high volumes for decades. It is mainly used to manufacture plastics containing polycarbonate, which is used for food and drink containers. It is also found in epoxy resins, which are used as liners in metal products like food cans, bottle tops, and water supply pipes.
BPA is potentially harmful to human health through different molecular mechanisms. Due to its hormone-like properties, it may bind to estrogen receptors, affecting body weight and tumorigenesis. It may also affect metabolism and cancer progression by interacting with GPR30 and may impair male reproductive function by binding to androgen receptors. BPA can also induce adipogenesis, stimulate lipid accumulation in adipose tissue and the liver, and perturb cytokine levels. It has a half-life of about 4.5 days in water and soil and less than a day in the air.
Several studies have shown the harmful effects of BPA on human health. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences has shown that BPA can be transferred to food or drink when heated. The European human biomonitoring initiative, HBM4EU, detected BPA in the urine of 92% of adult participants from 11 European countries.
However, there is some controversy over the harmfulness of BPA to humans. Some studies suggest that the effects of BPA may be more pronounced in babies and young children, as their bodies are still developing and are less efficient at getting rid of substances. The FDA has stated that many recent studies downplay the risks of BPA to humans, and that earlier research was often done on animals, not humans. The FDA has also stated that BPA is safe at the levels currently found in food and has recommended taking "reasonable steps" to reduce human exposure to BPA in the food supply.
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How to recycle BPA-free plastic
BPA-free plastic is recyclable, but it's important to understand the different types of plastic and their specific recycling requirements. Here is a detailed guide on how to recycle BPA-free plastic:
Understanding BPA and Plastic Identification:
BPA stands for Bisphenol A, an organic synthetic compound used in manufacturing plastics, particularly those containing polycarbonate, like food and drink containers. It is also found in epoxy resins used as liners in metal products like food cans and water pipes. To identify if a plastic product is BPA-free, look for the resin identification code or recycling symbol, usually a triangle with a number inside, often found on the bottom of the object.
Recycling Codes and Their Significance:
- Codes 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 are typically BPA-free and safe for food and beverage contact. Code 1, PET or polyethylene terephthalate, is commonly used for beverage bottles and food containers. Code 2, HDPE or high-density polyethylene, is used for milk jugs, detergent, and cleaning containers. Both are easily recyclable and safe due to their chemical resistance and durability.
- Code 4, LDPE or low-density polyethylene, is used for shrink wrap, plastic bags, and some containers. It is generally BPA-free and safe for food storage.
- Code 5, PP or polypropylene, is BPA-free and known for its heat resistance and versatility. It is used for food containers, pharmaceutical bottles, and packaging.
- Code 6, PS or polystyrene, includes disposable items like foam cups and kitchen utensils. While generally BPA-free, it is advised not to use PS for hot food or drinks as it may release toxic chemicals at high temperatures.
- Code 3 (PVC or polyvinyl chloride) often contains BPA and other harmful chemicals. It is best to avoid using or recycling this type of plastic if you want to minimize BPA exposure.
- Code 7 is a catch-all category, including various types of plastic not covered by the other codes. Only polycarbonate items contain BPA within this group, and they are recycled industrially into new durable goods.
Recycling Practices:
When recycling BPA-free plastic, follow these steps:
- Identify the plastic type using the resin identification code.
- Separate different types of plastics according to their codes.
- For commonly recycled plastics like PET and HDPE, crush or flatten the items and place them in your recycling bin.
- For less commonly recycled plastics like LDPE (Code 4), check with your local grocery stores or community recycling programs, as some have specific collection containers.
- Support brands that use recycled materials, such as those producing bottles from recycled PET plastic.
- Advocate for a well-designed, UK-harmonized Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) to improve the collection and recycling of plastic beverage bottles.
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Examples of BPA-free plastic products
While it is impossible to know exactly what chemicals were used to make specific plastic items, there are still plenty of products labelled as BPA-free on the market. These include plastic water bottles, food storage containers, baby bottles, pacifiers, changing pads, and plastic toys for babies and toddlers.
BPA-free products are also commonly used for baby dishware, sippy cups, and children's toys. It is important to check that any plastic toys you buy for children are made from BPA-free material, especially toys that little ones are likely to chew or suck on.
Some plastic water bottles that do not contain bisphenols include those made of Tritan plastic, which is used in Nalgene and Camelbak bottles. Plastic marked with the recycling symbol number 5, also known as polypropylene (PP), is generally considered to be free of bisphenols.
Keurig cups, or K-Cups, are also BPA-free according to the brand. However, it is important to note that just because a product is labelled as BPA-free does not mean it is fully safe to use. Many BPA-free products have replaced BPA with similar chemicals such as bisphenol-S (BPS) or bisphenol-F (BPF), which may be just as harmful.
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The history of BPA
Bisphenol A, or BPA, is a chemical compound primarily used in the manufacturing of plastics. It is a colourless solid that is soluble in most common organic solvents but has poor solubility in water. BPA was first synthesised by chemists in 1891, although it was not mentioned in a scientific paper until 1905, when Thomas Zincke of the University of Marburg, Germany, referenced it.
In the 1930s, scientists discovered that BPA was an artificial estrogen, and British medical researcher Edward Charles Dodds identified its estrogenic properties. In the 1950s, the thriving plastic industry underwent a technology revolution, and Dr Hermann Schnell of Bayer invented polycarbonate (PC) resin, which was soon followed by a similar discovery by chemist Dr Daniel Fox of GE. Both companies found a gooey substance that hardened in a beaker and was tough to break or destroy. They applied for US patents in 1955, and polycarbonate plastics first appeared in 1958.
In the 1960s, the use of PC for food packaging was approved by the FDA under its food additive regulations. In the 1970s, BPA was labelled a "grandfather" chemical by the Toxic Substances Control Act, meaning it was never evaluated and presumed safe by the Environmental Protection Agency. In the 1980s, the NTP released a final report on the carcinogenesis study of BPA, concluding that there was "no convincing evidence" of carcinogenicity.
In the early 1990s, Dr David Feldman conducted studies on estrogen activity and discovered an estrogenic molecule in plastic flasks, which was later identified as BPA. In 1997, the FDA found BPA contamination in 12 of 14 samples of canned infant formula, and in 1999, Consumer Reports found BPA leaching from baby bottles when heated. These findings sparked renewed debates over the safety of BPA, particularly for infants and young children, who are most vulnerable to its harmful effects.
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Frequently asked questions
Turn the plastic bottle or jar upside down and look at the bottom to see if it contains a plastic resin identification code, often called the recycling code. If you see 1, 2, 4, 5, or 6, you can assume the plastic is BPA-free. If it is 3, or PVC, it likely contains BPA. If you see 7, you won't be able to determine whether it has BPA or not, as 7 is a "catch-all" category.
BPA stands for Bisphenol A. It is an organic synthetic compound used to manufacture plastics containing polycarbonate, like food and drink containers.
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences research has shown that BPA can be transferred to your food or drink with heat. This happens when the protective internal epoxy resin coatings of consumer products like tableware, reusable plastic food storage containers, and water bottles break down over time.
Products made from polypropylene (“5”), polyethylene (recycling code “1”), or polyethylene terephthalate (“1”) are often devoid of BPA. Examples include plastic bags, plastic containers, and bottles.
Plastic with the code “3” (polyvinyl chloride, or PVC) and “7” (other, frequently mixed plastics) are frequently discovered to contain BPA.
