Bisphenol-A

= Bisphenonl-A = = (BPA) = = __Structure__ =  Bisphenol- A, or abreviated to BPA, is an organic compound with two phenol functional groups. The IUPAC name for Bisphenol- A is 4,4'-dihyroxy-2,2-dihphenylpropane. ===The molecular formula for BPA is C15H16O 2 ﻿ ===

__**What is Bisphenol-A ? Whats it Used for?**__
Bisphenol-A or BPA is an industrial chemical primarily used in the production of plastics. The appearance of BPA is white to light brown flakes or powder. With a melting point of 158 degrees Celcius to 159 degrees Celcius and a boiling point of 220 degrees Celcuis. When presented in plastic form BPA is a clear, nearly shatter-proof plastic. Bisphenol-A is commonly used to make polycarbonate plastics //(example: baby and water bottles).// Polycarbonate is used in a variety of other products such as CD's, DVD's, sport safety equipment, medical and dental devices, household electronics and plenty more. Not only is Bisphenol-A used in polycarbonate it is also used in the production of epoxy resins. These resins have many different uses. Some of theses uses include paints and adhesives, as well as a variety of protective coatings. Some epoxy resins are used on the inside of metal cans as a protective lining to maintain the quality of canned foods and beverages. They are used as protective coatings because of their toughness, ahesion, formability and chemical resistance.

__Are There Any Health Concerns With Bisphenol-A? __
Bisphenol-A is used in plenty of products that hold our food, should we be concerned it is harmful to our health? BPA's can be toxic to the human body, due to its ability to mimic the sex hormone estradiol when exposed to high temperatures. A study with rats and mice had shown that with exposure of low does of BPA that, severe damage to the brain, abnormal sexual behaviour, increased fat production, early puberty and disrupted reproductive cycles. But this does not poses a great risk to the general public, the main concern is on infants and new borns. This is becasue bisphenol-A has been shown in the lining of the metal cans of infant formulas and shown in baby bottles. The concern over the effects of BPA is on infants and new borns, due to their highest daily intake. Early development is that period of the greatest sensitivty to its effects. Some of these effects that can later on effect the health of the child are ADHD, effects thyroid function, prostate development, cancer, reproductive system and sexual behavior. To the general public this low dose of Bishpenol-A found in the lining of metal cans doesnt pose a huge threat to human health.

__** Efforts to remove Bishpenol-A: **__ Being that bisphenol-A is used to make polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins theses are unqiue and versitile materials in which other materials dont have the same properites or dont perform as great as these. Even though bisphenol-A has been tested for more then forty years, they are saying that it doesnt pose that great deal of a risk to the general public but for new borns and infants. Some effects have been made but not many. The World Health Organization had put no regulations on limiting or banning use of BPA, Australia and New Zealand dont see any health risks with BPA. But in Canada, Wal-Mart and Toys-R-Us have stopped selling products in all its Canadian stores of food containers, bottles and pacifiers that contain BPA. But in 2008 Health Canda has stated that the levels of BPA are below levels causeing effects. In just 2010 Environment Canada listed BPA as a toxic substance. In Europe in 2010 they banned the manufacturing of polycarbonate baby bottles containing BPA. In the US in February of 2010 they had banned the sale of baby bottles and reuseable food containers containing BPA.

__**﻿How to Protect yourself**__ There are a few ways to protect yourself from exposuse to BPA It is difficult to remain BPA free, but to the general public the dosage of BPA is so little that it wont affect us. To infants and new borns it will, that just means that pregnant woman and mothers need to keep their infants away from any plastic that contains BPA.
 * Avoid buying canned foods if possible
 * Dont buy plastic containers containing the identification code 7
 * Dont microwave plastic containers
 * Dont put plastic containers in the dish washer
 * Avoid using harsh detergents to avoid leaching