BPA, which is a chemical found in many food and drink packaging materials, appears to have a link to endocrine changes in men.
The change seems to be caused by higher testosterone levels when exposed to BPA, bisphenol A. This chemical is found to be contained in plastic containers such as water bottles and appears to be absorbed by the contents, causing the user to consume this chemical. While this is not the only exposure to BPA that the average person has, this is one of the more obvious. A person can also be exposed to this chemical through dental sealants, dermal exposure and inhalation of household dust.
It’s long been suspected that BPA exposure has a significant effect on higher testosterone levels, as well as effects on the thyroid and pancreas. There also appears to be a link between BPA and heart disease and diabetes. There also appears to be a link between BPA and reproductive hormones. BPA is used as a plastic hardener in containers used to hold food and drink, such as bottled water. It’s not as widely know that BPA is also used in food packaging liners of beverage and food cans, such as fruit juice in a metal can. It’s been known for some time that BPA has a negative effect on animal hormones.
Now science is concluding that the same effects are found in human hormones with the exposure to BPA. BPA is also thought to be present in some coastal seawater, a discovery that is debated, but very possible.