Bisphenol A Exposure May Increase Diabetes Risk: Study

New research suggests that people with high levels of the chemical Bisphenol-A (BPA) in their urine are at greater risk of having diabetes, raising further concerns about the safety of BPA in many consumer products. 

Researchers from the West Virginia University School of Medicine found a correlation between levels of Bisphenol A exposure and diabetes, although they have been unable to find a causative link indicating that the diabetes was caused by the chemical.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is suspected of causing disruptions to the human endocrine system and developmental problems. The chemical is used in numerous plastic bottles and can liners and found in the urine of 95% of Americans.

According to the study’s findings, people with the highest levels of BPA in their urine were 62% more likely to have diabetes than those with the lowest levels of BPA. The correlation still existed even after researchers accounted for a number of usual diabetes factors, such as body weight, age and race. However, researchers are unsure of how BPA would promote the development of diabetes.

The study looked at nearly 4,000 U.S. adults, using data from 2003-2008 National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES). The researchers recommended more studies focused on finding a link and confirming their study’s conclusions.

Bisphenol-A is used to make many plastic products hard and shatterproof. Originally developed as a form of synthetic estrogen, it is used in the manufacture of many consumer products, such as bottles, cups, can liners, baby products and other food containers.

Exposure to BPA has long been suspected of causing hormonal changes by impacting the human endocrine system. It has also been linked to cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Some prior research has also suggested that BPA side effects can cause developmental abnormalities and other problems over time in infants and young children.

Last year, the FDA recommended that parents take “reasonable steps” to reduce infant exposure to BPA. The federal regulatory agency is currently conducting a re-evaluation of the safety of BPA, after previously indicating that exposure to the levels used in consumer products is safe. The new review was initiated in June 2009 after the FDA received substantial criticism from outside groups, politicians and its own scientists.