Bisphenol A (BPA) is a synthetic industrial chemical used in producing plastics and resins to make them strong, durable, heat-resistant, transparent, and lightweight. As such, BPA is found in many everyday products including reusable plastic tableware, water bottles, sports equipment, physical discs (like DVDs), soda cans, water pipes, flooring, adhesives, and thermal paper receipts. While we rarely think twice about interacting with these items, health experts caution that BPA exposure may carry risks.
On a molecular level, BPA closely resembles the hormone estrogen. Inside the body, it can bind to estrogen receptors and interfere with normal hormonal signaling, potentially disrupting developmental and reproductive processes. Research links BPA exposure to reduced fertility, elevated risks of breast and prostate cancer, metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, thyroid dysfunction, early puberty, immune system changes, and certain neurological effects.
How does BPA enter the body? Pathways include ingestion from food and drinks stored in containers lined with BPA or heated in plastic, inhalation of microplastic particles containing BPA, and skin absorption from handling thermal paper receipts.
Due to growing awareness and regulatory pressure, many manufacturers now market “BPA-free” products. However, these are often made with Bisphenol S (BPS), a chemical less studied but showing similar hormonal activity and potential health risks. Instead, it may be prudent to choose non-plastic alternatives—such as glass or stainless steel containers—which are more reliably free of hormone-disrupting bisphenols.
To reduce exposure, experts recommend limiting canned food and drink consumption, using glass or stainless steel containers, avoiding microwaving plastic, opting for electronic receipts or declining paper ones, not applying hand sanitizer immediately after handling receipts, wearing nitrile gloves if receipts are handled regularly for work, washing hands often (especially before eating), and cleaning floors and dusting regularly to minimize bisphenol residues in indoor dust.