A University of Cincinnati research paper published in the August 14 Journal of Environmental Health Perspectives reveals that humans exposed to regular environmental levels of Bisphenol A were found with a build up of this chemical in their fatty tissues. Bisphenol A blocks the hormone adiponectin, responsible in the body’s regulation of insulin levels. Decreased levels of adiponectin can lead to metabolic syndrome; which is a decreased sensitivity to insulin and increased blood sugar and lipid levels. Metabolic syndrome can lead to Type II diabetes, coronary artery disease and strokes.

This study is unique for two reasons: firstly, the tests were done on normal human tissue samples, not on mice or rats, and secondly, these people were exposed to regular environmental levels of Bisphenol A, not artificially inflated levels. The tissue samples were taken from patients undergoing breast or abdominal surgery and exposed saturated with a Bisphenol A concentration that was realistic to everyday life; between 0.1 and 10 nanomolar.

As if we didn’t already have a reason to spurn this notorious chemical. Its estrogen mimicing effects have been linked to obesity and carcinogenic effects on developing fetuses. If you have plastic with a 3 or a 7 in the little triangle symbol, it has Bisphenol A. Luckily, it will become harder and harder to find because most manufacturers are voluntarily removing this chemical from their products.

Read the full press release on Eureka Alert.

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