Faut-il interdire le bisphénol A ?

Bisphenol A (BPA) is used for the manufacture of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resin. Since several years it has been reported that BPA belongs to the group of estrogenic xenobiotic or endocrine disruptors (EDC) which are non steroidal substances mimicking estrogen action. Perinatal exposure to EDC would result in morphological and functional alterations that may be responsible for reduced fertility, and mammary and prostate cancer. BPA, which is one of the polycarbonate constituents of baby bottles has been shown to leach from the polycarbonate by exposure to high temperature. Controversies has emerged concerning the level of BPA released after heating these bottles in microwave ovens and therefore the potentially deleterious effects of BPA for the foetus and the neonate. More generally, the human health risks that may be associated with low-level but constant exposures to EDC and BPA in particular, are still largely unknown and highly controversial.