It has been widely publicized that even low exposure to bisphenol A (BPA), an ingredient widely used in transparent hard plastic, can increase risk of earlier puberty and cancer. But a new study suggests that BPA free plastic may not be any safer.
The study, conducted by researchers at University of California at Los Angeles finds that the a commonly used alternative to BPA called bisphenol S (BPS) can render many detrimental effects of BPA. For one thing, BPS has been now found to boost embryonic development and disrupt the reproductive system.
The study published in the Feb. 1 edition of the journal Endocrinology finds that both BPA and BPS even at trace levels as seen in polluted river water altered the physiology of embryonic zebrafish within 25 hours of exposure.
The researchers find BPS and BPA alike exert detrimental effects of both estrogen and thyroid hormone at high levels.
