Researchers reported on Wednesday that male Chinese factory workers in who received very high doses of BPA, which is widely used in hard plastic bottles, had high rates of sexual problems. The exposure was linked linked to both impotence as well as lower sexual desire and satisfaction, according to the study.
BPA was first developed as a synthetic estrogen. However, it was found to be not powerful enough for medical use. Instead, once industry found that BPA was effective at hardening plastic, the chemical migrated into plastic bottles and other plastic containers.
However, research into the hormonal effects of the chemical has led to bans in some states, including California, which passed a bill in July preventing BPA use in children's bottles.
It should be noted, however, that the BPA exposure in the Chinese workers was extremely high. It was 50 times higher than that found in the average American male, according to researcher Dr. De-Kun Li. The problem is the researchers are unclear on the effects of "normal" doses.
Li is a reproductive and perinatal epidemiologist at Kaiser Permanente's research division in Oakland, CA. While cautioning consumers to avoid panicking over the new study, he added that it would be wise to limit exposure as much as possible while further studies are performed.
Some Americans have moved away from any usage of BPA-laden products. Sales of stainless steel bottles, for example, have risen, and products on sites such as Amazon.com are careful to announce they are "BPA-free." Despite this, however, some 90 percent of the U.S. population carries detectable levels of the chemical in their urine.
Posted November 11th, 2009 by Michael Santo
