A popular chemical alternative to bisphenol A (BPA), known for use in plastic water bottles and food cans, raises concerns that it could “severely damage” human brains.
A new study by scientists at the University of Bayreuth in Germany studied the impact of both BPA and its chemical cousin Bisphenol S (BPS) on goldfish nerve cells.
“We were surprised at how many vital functions of the brain in fish are affected by plasticizers used in many industries,” Elisabeth Schirmer, the study’s lead author, told News Atlas. “This damage, as we have been able to show, does not appear immediately. However, when brain cells are exposed to small amounts of BPA or BPS for a month, the damage is unmistakable. ”
According to a 2018 report, both BPA and BPS are used as color developers and many companies are making their receipts with these chemicals.
A report by researchers at New York State University in Albany and the Chinese Academy of Sciences noted that nearly 90 percent of human exposure to BPS can be tracked in earnings.
The University of Bayreuth study focused on Mauthner cells in goldfish, which are the two largest nerve cells in fish brains, according to media reports. Cells are part of all sensory stimuli and help vertebrates get rid of predators.
The study showed a malfunction in the functioning of the nervous system and interruption of the processing of acoustic and visual stimuli.
The scientists working on the study believe that the effects of goldfish on exposure to BPS and BPA can be mimicked in humans.
“Findings from fish brains justify the assessment that BPA and BPS can severely damage the brains of adults,” said study author Dr. Peter Machnik. “In this context, it is essential that science and industry develop new plasticizers to replace these bisphenols, while being safe for human health.”
Manufacturers who use BPS in their products have put “BPA-free” labels on packages, despite a 2020 study that BPS “can fundamentally alter fetal brain development,” according to News Atlas.
In recent years, it has been reported that BPA and BPS are linked to childhood obesity and hormone changes in adolescents.