A new study shows BPA and BPS affect embryonic development
Posted Jan 12, 2015 2:42 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
If something is ‘BPA-free,’ a new study shows it might be just as bad or worse than if it actually contained the chemical.
In response to concerns over Bisphenol A, many companies have replaced it with Bisphenol S (BPS), allowing them to label their products as ‘BPA-free.’
However, new research out of the University of Calgary shows BPS also causes changes in embryonic brain development.
Dr. Hamid Habibi is one of the researchers.
“In our studies, we demonstrated that Bisphenol S has an equally toxic effect. So some Bisphenol A-free bottles could contain Bisphenol S and as a result be equally toxic,” says Habibi.
He says they were also surprised that extremely low dosages of both types of the chemical affected brain development linked to hyperactivity.
The study found BPS and BPA affected embryonic brain development in zebrafish.
The fish were chosen for the study because they have a similar process in their brain development.
According to the U of C, the zebrafish exposed to BPA or BPS were getting twice as many neurons born too soon and about half as many neurons born later, which leads to problems in how the neurons connect and form circuits.
Researchers discovered the number of neurons generated in the developing zebrafish brains increased by 190 per cent compared with unexposed fish. Surprisingly, they found BPS increased the number of neurons by 240 per cent.
“The result was a change in behaviour, with the fish demonstrating greater hyperactivity later in life,’ said Deborah Kurrasch, PhD.
“The findings add weight to other studies suggesting pregnant women should try to limit their exposure to items containing bisphenols.” The evidence also supports removing all bisphols and structurally similar chemicals from consumer products,” said Kurrasch.
