BPA Can Lead to Infertility and Miscarriages

New research suggests that Bisphenol A (BPA) mimics the body’s own hormones and could lead to harmful health effects.

Men with elevated amounts of BPA in their bodies are more likely to have low sperm counts, according to the study. Damaged sperm can lead to infertility and a higher odds of miscarriages and even birth defects.

Individuals are often exposed to BPA, six billion pounds of which is produced per year, from their diet and the environment. As a component, BPA can be verified if the item contains recycling number 7.

John Meeker, assistant professor at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, led the research. Animal studies have suggested reproductive health consequences from BPA, but there have been limited human studies, said Meeker.

“Much of the focus for BPA is on the exposures in utero or in early life, which is of course extremely important, but this suggests exposure may also be a concern for adults,” Meeker said.

Approximately nine in 10 of the men had amounts of BPA in their urine, consistent with U.S. CDC data on population exposure to the chemical, Meeker said.