As part of the expert appraisal it has conducted since 2009 at the request of the Ministry of Health on substances identified as category 2 reprotoxic and/or endocrine disruptors, the Agency was tasked with assessing the potential dangers of a certain number of compounds of the family of bisphenols (or relatives): bisphenol A, bisphenol B, bisphenol M, BADGE, bisphenol S, bisphenol AF and bisphenol AP.
In order to assess the toxicity of each of these substances, in particular on the reproductive function and the endocrine function, a review of the literature was conducted and the epidemiological and experimental studies were analysed. The toxicological profiles developed for these different compounds of the bisphenol family (or related) appear in the report “Reprotoxic substances and endocrine disruptors Compounds of the bisphenol family: bisphenols M, S, B, AP, AF, F and BADGE” ( PDF) (ANSES 2013).
Conclusions
All substances assessed share a common chemical structure to compounds of the bisphenol family which gives them estrogenic propertiesthat is to say similar to those of estrogens, hormones synthesized in particular by the ovaries and involved in the regulation of the menstrual cycle, the development of puberty and the subsequent maintenance of female physical characteristics or even during growth (constitution and solidification of the framework of the bones).
Particular attention should therefore be paid when using bisphenols S, F, M, B, AP, AF and BADGE in some areas. Indeed, the estrogenic activity which is common to this family of compounds could prove to be harmful for the consumer.
According to the conclusions of the toxicological profiles of the analyzed compounds, and subject to a more thorough analysis of their use, additional studies would be necessary to evaluate their dangers in order to obtain more complete and comparable toxicological profiles. The Agency has thus formulated research recommendations, substance by substance, aimed at supplementing the data on the toxicity of these substances.
Regarding the uses of these bisphenolsof the seven compounds analyzed, three are potential substitutes for bisphenol A. These are BPS, BPF and bisphenol AP.
According to the study report on alternatives to bisphenol A produced by ANSES, these 3 molecules are used as substitutes for bisphenol A as a developer in thermal papers. BPS is also used as a starting monomer for the synthesis of polyethersulfone (PES), which is used in particular for the manufacture of baby bottles and tableware for children. The other compounds (BPB, BPM, bisphenol AF and BADGE) have not been identified in this report as substitutes for bisphenol A. The information collected so far tends to show that BPB, BPM and bisphenol AF are used for the synthesis of polymers. BADGE, on the other hand, is used for the synthesis of certain epoxy resins that can be found in the interior coating of food containers.
Recommendations
The work carried out by the Agency highlights the fact that the available toxicological data are not sufficient to assess the toxicity of bisphenols M, S, B, AP, AF, F and BADGE. Likewise, data concerning preparations and/or articles containing bisphenols M, B, S and BADGE, as well as the potential environmental contamination generated by these compounds are too fragmented to allow an assessment of the exposure of the general population.
In the end, it is therefore not possible to conduct an assessment of the health risks associated with the use of these compounds in consumer products, which should encourage the greatest caution in terms of substitution by these compounds.