BPA not limited to plastic bottles

CINCINNATI—New research in the U.S. has found traces of Bisphenol A in some products manufactured with supposedly BPA-free materials.

University of Cincinnati researchers tested reusable bottles made from polycarbonate, co-polyester, stainless steel, aluminum with co-polyester lining or aluminum with epoxy resin lining.

They found that stainless steel- and/or co-polyester lined-aluminum bottles did not release BPA. However, aluminum bottles lined with epoxy-based resins still resulted in BPA contamination of liquids.

Reusable water bottles made with ‘BPA-free’ alternative materials are safe for consuming beverages when used according to manufacturer’s instruction, said Scott Belcher, PhD, associate professor in the pharmacology and cell biophysics department

“BPA does, however, migrate into water stored in polycarbonate plastic and metal bottles coated with epoxy-resins, especially when heated to high temperatures,” he said, adding that discount store branded bottles released much more BPA.

“Consumers should not think that just because a bottle isn’t polycarbonate plastic that it is safe from the dangers of BPA, but while there are no standards for claims of ‘BPA-free,’ it appears that ‘BPA-free’ labels used to market co-polyester-based water bottle alternatives actually reflect a lack of BPA contamination in liquids stored in those containers,” Belcher concluded.

The study was recently published in the journal Chemosphere.

It was funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the UC Center for Environmental Genetics.

Belcher cited no conflict of interest.