How to Avoid Hormone Disrupting Chemicals
Far too often, I see kids in my clinic, at school or on the playground sipping from brightly coloured plastic bottles, unaware of the hidden health risks inside.
The issue isn’t just with old plastics containing BPA (Bisphenol A). Even BPA-free plastic products aren’t necessarily safe – many contain similar chemicals like BPS (Bisphenol S) and BPF (Bisphenol F), which can be just as harmful. Today, let’s dive into how these substances affect your child’s health and why switching to stainless steel or glass is one of the best decisions you can make for your family.
What Is BPA and Why Should You Be Concerned?
BPA is a chemical used in the production of plastics and resins, commonly found in water bottles, food containers, and even the lining of cans. The problem? BPA is a hormone disruptor, meaning it interferes with the body’s endocrine or hormone system.
Hormones are the body’s chemical messengers, regulating critical functions such as growth, brain development, and metabolism. When BPA or similar chemicals enter the body, they can mimic or block natural hormones, potentially leading to a range of health issues.
Studies have linked BPA exposure to:
Behavioural problems in children, including increased aggression and anxiety
Disrupted brain development
Hormonal imbalances that may contribute to early puberty
Increased risk of obesity and metabolic disorders
What’s particularly concerning is that children are more vulnerable to these effects because their bodies are still developing. The younger the child, the stronger the effect. That is why it is so important to avoid PBA exposure to unborn babies during the pregnancy.
The BPA-Free Myth: Beware of BPS and BPF
Many parents think they’re making a safer choice by buying BPA-free products. Unfortunately, manufacturers have replaced BPA with BPS and BPF, which research shows have similar endocrine-disrupting effects.
These chemicals have been found to affect brain development, particularly in the hippocampus – the part of the brain responsible for memory and learning. Even low levels of exposure can have long-term impacts on your child’s cognitive abilities and emotional well-being.
How BPA Disrupts Hormones & Affects Children’s Health
BPA Mimics Oestrogen
BPA’s structure closely resembles oestrogen, a key hormone that regulates a variety of developmental processes, particularly in the brain and reproductive system. Because BPA looks like oestrogen at a molecular level, it can bind to oestrogen receptors in the body.
When BPA binds to these receptors, it can:
Trigger inappropriate hormonal responses at the wrong times and can contribute to early puberty onset
Block natural oestrogen from binding, which prevents the body from functioning as it should and cause fertility issues
In children, especially during sensitive windows of development such as infancy and puberty, these disruptions can have lifelong consequences, affecting the brain, reproductive organs, and even immune function.
BPA Alters Thyroid Hormones
The thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate metabolism, growth, and brain development. BPA can interfere with the production and function of thyroid hormones, such as T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine), which are crucial for children’s development.
Studies show that BPA can:
Reduce thyroid hormone levels in the blood, which may cause low energy and slower development.
Disrupt the communication between the brain and the thyroid gland, known as the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis which affects your child’s overall metabolism and their ability to cope with stress.
This disruption is particularly concerning for children, as low thyroid hormone levels can impair cognitive development, attention span, and learning ability.
BPA Interferes with Androgens
Androgens, such as testosterone, are critical for the development of both boys and girls, particularly during puberty. BPA can:
Block androgen receptors, preventing natural hormones like testosterone from binding.
Reduce testosterone levels, which may interfere with the development of secondary sexual characteristics, muscle mass, bone density, and even sperm motility and fertility later on.
In boys, low testosterone levels can delay or disrupt reproductive organ development, while in girls, androgen disruption may cause polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and other hormonal imbalances.
Epigenetic Effects of BPA
One of the most concerning effects of BPA is that it may cause epigenetic changes, meaning it can alter how genes are expressed without changing the underlying DNA sequence. These changes can be passed down to future generations, causing health issues in future children and grand-children.
BPA exposure has been linked to:
Increased risk of obesity
Insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes
Increased susceptibility to cancer
These epigenetic changes may contribute to the rising rates of childhood obesity, diabetes, and reproductive disorders.
BPA Impacts the Brain and Behaviour
BPA exposure has been shown to alter the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex—two areas of the brain critical for memory, learning, and impulse control.
Studies in animals and humans have found that BPA exposure can lead to:
Increased anxiety and aggression
Hyperactivity and attention deficits
Impaired learning and visual memory
Because children’s brains are still developing, they are far more vulnerable to these neurotoxic effects than adults.
BPA and Insulin Disruption
BPA also interferes with insulin production and glucose metabolism, increasing the risk of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. BPA exposure causes the pancreas to:
Produce too much insulin, leading to metabolic imbalances.
Overwork the insulin-producing cells, causing long-term damage.
This can contribute to obesity and metabolic disorders, particularly if children are exposed early in life.
Simple Changes, Big Impact!
As you can see BPA is a potent endocrine disruptor that can mimic hormones, block natural hormone function, and alter gene expression. These disruptions can lead to a wide range of health problems, from developmental delays and learning difficulties to reproductive disorders, metabolic issues, and even increased cancer risk.
The good news? You don’t have to make drastic changes to reduce your family’s exposure to harmful plastics. Small swaps can make a big difference in your child’s health and development. Here’s how you can start:
✅ Replace plastic water bottles with stainless steel or glass options.
Make it a fun new tradition: buy your child a sturdy, brightly coloured stainless steel water bottle for the new school year. It’s a great way to encourage hydration and reduce their exposure to toxins.
✅ Use glass or stainless-steel containers for food storage.
Avoid heating food in plastic containers – heat can cause more chemicals to leach out into food. Instead, opt for glass or stainless steel when reheating meals.
✅ Choose fresh or frozen foods over canned goods.
Many cans are lined with plastic containing BPA or similar chemicals. Where possible, choose fresh or frozen produce instead. You can for example buy dry beans, chickpeas, and lentils; soak them, then drain, cook in fresh water and this will avoid exposure to BPA and save you money.