Environmental Toxin Bisphenol A (BPA) Can Affect Newborn Brain, Mouse Study Shows

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111026094203.htm

ScienceDaily (Oct. 26, 2011) — Newborn mice that are exposed to bisphenol A develop changes in their spontaneous behavior and evince poorer adaptation to new environments, as well hyperactivity as young adults, according to researchers at Uppsala University. Their study also revealed that one of the brain's most important signal systems, the cholinergic signal system, is affected by bisphenol A and that the effect persisted into adulthood.

Our environment contains a number of pollutants, including bisphenol A, which is used in plastics in a number of different applications. When plastic products are used, bisphenol A can leak out, which is especially problematic as it is used in baby bottles, tin cans, plastic containers, plastic mugs, which are used by people of all ages. Both in Sweden and globally, bisphenol A is widely used, and the substance has been found in human placentas, fetuses, and breast milk.

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"We have previously seen this type of effect from several other environmental toxins that are still prevalent in both indoor and outdoor environments. As these effects are similar to each other, it's possible that several different environmental toxins, including bisphenol A, may work together in causing disturbances during brain development. This in turn may mean that the individual dosages of the various environmental toxins that are required to cause disturbances may be lower than those we examined in our studies of, for example, Bisphenol and brominated flame-retardants," says Henrik Viberg.


tags: pollution
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