Testing baby bottles for the presence of residual and migrated bisphenol A

Abstract

Plastic made with bisphenol A (BPA) produces trans-generational changes in genes and behavior. It has been positively linked to obesity and thyroid dysfunction. This study aimed to detect the presence of BPA in polycarbonate plastic (PC) baby bottles. Fifteen PC baby bottles with a clear indication of BPA free/safe/clear were randomly selected. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) tests were used to detect residual or migrating BPA post three stress tests. An estimated intake of BPA among children was calculated then compared to the universal tolerable daily intake (TDI). Around 27% of bottles had detectable amounts of residual BPA in the first test, 100% released migrating BPA in the second and third tests. A significant positive linear trend in migrated BPA levels was observed over the three consecutive tests P < 0.0001. Approximately 73.5% of the accounted variability in BPA levels was due to these stress tests P < 0.0001. Babies from 0 to 3 months are expected to consume 0.8 to 23.8% of their safe TDI of BPA just by using plastic bottles between the first time of usage and after 60 washes (estimated 15 to 20 days of usage). Although no bottles have shown a risk of BPA intake exceeding TDI, the combined use of BPA bottles with other plastic utensils might result in reaching it. It is advisable to refrain from using BPA-containing plastic bottles or be cautious about usage duration. Manufacturers should indicate a clear margin of usage duration. Four baby bottle brands showed the least BPA leaking (Baby King, Camera, Sweet Baby, and Farlin).