BPA-Free Products Containing BPS Linked to Brain Defects

Commonly marketed BPA-free baby bottles and cans are not as safe as one would expect them to be.

Animal studies done by researchers at University of Calgary shows how BPA interferes with early neural development, in turn causing subtle but significant problems in adult life. Even more damning is the find that commonly used BPA alternative, BPS, is equally harmful. Researchers used Zebrafish to arrive at their conclusions, The Huffington Post reported.

"I was actually very surprised at our results. This was a very, very, very low dose, so I didn't think using a dose this low could have any effect," said the study's corresponding author Deborah Kurrasch, in a news release.

BPA or Bisphenol A is approved for use in plastic bottles, cans and thermal paper. After studies pointed out its side-effects, public outcry forced manufacturers to find alternatives. Since then Bisphenol S or BPS is in use, with products being marketed as BPA-free in order to assuage fears.

To make their finding, the research team exposed Zebrafish embryos to BPA and BPS at concentrations found in waters of South Alberta. The experiment showed that the compounds accelerated early growth of neurons in the brain and slowed growth later, which can lead to development and behavioral disorders. Adult fish exposed to the chemicals during embryo development exhibited hyperactivity compared to normal fish.

While further studies are required to determine if results hold good for humans, researchers say that pregnant women should limit exposure to bisphenols.

"In the second trimester, brain cells become the specialized neurons that make up our brain. What we show is that the zebrafish exposed to BPA or BPS were getting twice as many neurons born too soon and about half as many neurons born later, so that will lead to problems in how the neurons connect and form circuits," Kurrasch said.