A study led by José Villalaín at Miguel Hernández University reveals that bisphenol alternatives, BPF and BPS, are not safer than BPA, posing significant health risks. This new research adds to growing concerns over the use of bisphenols in everyday products.
A groundbreaking study by José Villalaín, a professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at the Miguel Hernández University of Elche (UMH) in Spain, challenges the safety of Bisphenol F (BPF) and Bisphenol S (BPS), commonly used as substitutes for Bisphenol A (BPA) in plastics and resins. Published in the Journal of Xenobiotics, the study reveals that BPF and BPS may pose similar health risks as BPA.
The research employed high-resolution computer simulations to analyze how BPA, BPF and BPS interact with complex biological membranes.
The findings indicate that both BPF and BPS exhibit similar harmful behaviors as BPA by accumulating in cellular membranes. This accumulation can potentially disrupt endocrine functions, leading to diseases such as diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular problems.
This study comes in response to increasing regulatory scrutiny of BPA. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has labeled BPA as a health concern for consumers of all ages, prompting manufacturers to seek alternatives like BPF and BPS. However, this new research supports growing evidence that these alternatives are not without risk.
Bisphenols are known as endocrine disruptors, interfering with the normal functioning of the endocrine system. These chemicals pervade everyday items such as plastic bottles, food containers, detergents and cosmetics.
Previous studies have already linked bisphenols to serious health issues, resulting in some, like DDT, being banned and others facing tighter regulations.
The UMH study sheds light on the need for a reassessment of these supposedly “safe” alternatives. Using molecular dynamics simulations, the research team demonstrated that BPF and BPS accumulate in membrane lipids in the same manner as BPA, disrupting the chemical signals within cells and potentially leading to various health conditions.
This issue has significant implications given the prevalence of bisphenols in consumer products. Previous studies have linked elevated levels of BPF and BPS in European adults’ urine samples, suggesting widespread exposure.
“Since bisphenols tend to accumulate in the lipid phase [the part of the cell membrane where molecules responsible for transporting substances and chemical signals into and out of cells are located], the concentration of bisphenols found in biological membranes can be significant,” Villalaín said in a news release.
“Given the environmental and health importance of these molecules, the use of these bisphenols should be discontinued due to the risks they may pose to human and animal health,” Villalaín concluded.
The scientific community is now urged to deepen its investigation into the effects of BPF and BPS on human health, and policies may need to adapt swiftly to protect consumers. This study marks a pivotal step in the ongoing evaluation of chemical safety in everyday products and raises critical questions about the future use of these compounds in consumer goods.