Mapping Ignorance: BPA and pregnancy: diabetes for you and your kids
Check our latest article in Mapping Ignorance: BPA and pregnancy: diabetes for you and your kids.
«BPA-Free», «No Bisphenol A» and similar labels have become a sort of seal of quality for those products where they are on display, especially containers and baby products. But, what is bisphenol A? In 1936 bisphenol A (BPA) was identified as a synthetic estrogen, this is, an artificial compound that shows estrogen-mimicking action. Estrogens are hormones that exert a wide range of actions in the organisms, but they are principally related to the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. Many studies have linked bisphenol A to hormones ever since its estrogenic effects were proved in the last century.
However, BPA is mainly used to make plastics, especially plastic containers, for it is the base molecule in polycarbonate production (widely used to make baby and water bottles and food containers) as well as in some metal-based food cans. Besides, it is employed to harden PVC plastics and it is also a key component in thermal paper on sale receipts.
