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Order Code RS22869
Updated July 23, 2008
CRS Report for Congress
Bisphenol A (BPA) in Plastics
and Possible Human Health Effects
Linda-Jo Schierow
Specialist in Environmental Policy
Resources, Science, and Industry Division
Sarah A. Lister
Specialist in Public Health and Epidemiology
Domestic Social Policy Division
Summary
Bisphenol A (BPA) is used to produce certain types of plastic. Containers made
of these plastics may expose people to small amounts of BPA in food and water. Some
animal experiments have found that fetal and infant development may be hanned by
small amounts of BPA, amounts to which many people may be exposed, but scientists
disagree about the value of the animal studies for predicting harmful effects in people.
At least one regulatory decision in the face of the scientific disagreement has led to a
congressional inquiry into the extent to which the decision was based on good science.
Legislation proposed in April 2008, S. 2928, would prohibit use of BPA in some
products intended for use by children. Legislation proposed in June 2008, H.R. 6228,
would prohibit the use of BPA in food and beverage containers regulated by the Food
and Drug Administration (FDA).
Introduction. Bisphenol A (BPA)1 is a synthetic chemical compound produced in
the United States in very large quantities, approximately 2.3 billion pounds annually.2
The dominant use is in manufacturing certain forms of plastic: relatively hard, clear
polycarbonate (PC), and the epoxy resins that are used to line food cans. Under certain
conditions, BPA may migrate (i.e., be released) from PC containers and plastic-lined cans
into the food or liquids they contain.
1 Bisphenol A also is commonly known as carboxylic acid. It is the single molecule that is
chained together (polymerized) to form polycarbonate.
2 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Toxicology Program, Draft
NTP Brief on Bisphenol A, April 14, 2008, at [http://cerhr.niehs.nih.gov/chemicals/bisphenol/
BPADraftBriefVF 04 14_08.pdf].
Congressional Research Service The Library of Congress
Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress](ViewImageLocal?handle=hein.crs/crsmthaberu0001&div=1&collection=&method=preview&ext=.png&size=3)