BPS and BPF Systematic Review and Comparison of the Hormonal Activity

Why ‘BPA-Free’ May Be Meaningless

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“We’ve got to do something about putting brand new compounds in products without having consulted with biologists about what they do,” said Cheryl S. Watson, a professor at the University of Texas. Image via Hindrik Sijens.

2015 Study Abstract

Background:
Increasing concern over Bisphenol A (BPA) as an endocrine disrupting chemical and its possible effects on human health have prompted the removal of BPA from consumer products, often labeled “BPA-free.” Some of the chemical replacements however, are also bisphenols, and may have similar physiological effects in organisms. Bisphenol S (BPS) and bisphenol F (BPF) are two such BPA substitutes.

Objectives:
This review was carried out to evaluate the physiological effects and endocrine activities of the BPA substitutes BPS and BPF. Further, we compared the hormonal potency of BPS and BPF to BPA.

Methods:
We conducted a systematic review, based on the Office of Health Assessment and Translation (OHAT) protocol.

Results:
We identified the body of literature-to-date, consisting of 32 studies (25 in vitro only, and seven in vivo). The majority of these studies examined the hormonal activities of BPS and BPF and found their potency to be in the same order of magnitude and of similar action to BPA (estrogenic, anti-estrogenic, androgenic, and anti-androgenic) in vitro and in vivo. BPS also has potencies similar to estradiol in membrane-mediated pathways, which are important for cellular actions like proliferation, differentiation, and death. BPS and BPF also showed other effects in vitro and in vivo, such as altered organ weights, reproductive endpoints, and enzyme expression.

Conclusions:
Based on the current literature, BPS and BPF are as hormonally active as BPA, and have endocrine disrupting effects.

Sources and more information
  • Bisphenol S and F: A Systematic Review and Comparison of the Hormonal Activity of Bisphenol A Substitutes, Environ Health Perspect; DOI:10.1289/ehp.1408989, 16 March 2015, full study PDF.
  • Why ‘BPA-Free’ May Be Meaningless, time, April 15, 2015.

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