BPA: Can invoice processing harm your health?

Tax notes, plastic bottles, cans, children’s toys. Similarly, BPA, or bisphenol A, is in products that are part of the routine of almost everyone. Consequently, This chemical compound is mainly used in the manufacture of plastics. Therefore, resins, but also appears in the interior lining of the packaging, in household items and in flame fire materials.

But what worries researchers. Similarly, health bpa: can invoice processing harm authorities is that, although it is so widespread, BPA is classified as an endocrine disruptor: that is to say a substance capable of interfering with the production and action of hormones in our body, in particular sexual.

“The main subject of concern is plastic. Meanwhile, because its use is massive worldwide – we are talking about tons per year,” explains Elaine Costa, coordinator of the Sbem Environmental Endocrinology Commission (Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolology).

“Bisphenol A is essential in the manufacture of many of these materials. Nevertheless, It is like building a wall: BPA would be brick and chemical links, cement that keeps everything together. For example, When you heat a plastic container containing food, these links can break, releasing bisphenol in food. For example, It is the main form of contamination. Moreover, And the problem does not stop bpa: can invoice processing harm there: and also contaminates water. However, “

In the case of thermal paper. such as tax notes, BPA can be absorbed by the skin, especially in those who frequently handle this type of material, such as commercial workers.

Although absorption is considered low, studies point out that constant exposure, even in small doses, can cause long -term risks. And not only for those in direct contact with the substance.

“There are indications that these changes can still occur in intrauterine life, influencing the metabolic health of future generations. Consequently. it is essential that preventive measures – such as reducing food contact with plastics, avoiding heating plastic containers in the microwave and opting for inert materials, such as glass or stainless steel – Small changes of bpa: can invoice processing harm habit can considerably reduce exposure throughout life, “said Carlos Minanni, endocrinologist at Einstein Israelita hospital.

There is no doubt that bisphenol A is not completely harmless. but science cannot yet determine precisely what level of exposure presents a concrete risk for human health.

“In humans, we have not been able to directly prove the risks. You cannot do a study dividing people between presentations. not exposed, it would be contrary to ethics,” explains the Elaine Costa endocrinologist. “What we have is epidemiological studies that show that more exposed populations develop certain pathologies. In animals, they are already proven: modifications of fertility, obesity, diabetes.”

These effects bpa: can invoice processing harm are explained. in part, by the own chemical structure of BPA, which is very similar to that of estradiol which is the main female sex hormone. For this reason. he manages to bind to the same receptors in the body, interfering with the action of natural hormones. “It is as if it were a false key that entered the bad lock. preventing the real from working,” compares Costa. In addition to sex hormones. bisphenol also affects other cellular mechanisms, with a potential impact on thyroid, metabolism and the reproductive system as a whole.

Professor Márcia Mendonça. holder of gynecology at the UFMG (Federal University of Minas Gerais), underlines that compounds such as BPA can exercise an estrogen or anti-eastrogenic action, interfering with the delicate balance of the hormonal system. Animal studies already indicate deleterious effects. and evidence collected in several countries show that exposure to bpa: can invoice processing harm these compounds is linked to a reduced quality of sperm, to a higher incidence of genital anomalies in men, changes in the menstrual cycle, with polycystic ovar syndrome, endometriosis and even certain types of cancer.

WHO (World Health Organization) recognizes around 800 compounds including BPA, chemicals suspected of interfere with the hormonal system. However. he stresses that only a small fraction has actually been studied in depth, and that the scarcity of data generates “uncertainties on the extent of the risks”.

Anvisa, the Brazilian health regulation agency, itself recognizes this scenario of uncertainty. According to the agency, classical toxicity studies highlight effects only in high doses. bpa: can invoice processing harm

However. some studies suggest that lower doses of BPA can also be associated with emerging results such as neurodevelopmental changes, changes in the breast and prostatic glands in rats and alteration of the quality of the sperm.

As there are still doubts about the validity. relevance of these results, experts warn that although the data is not conclusive, they should guide other research and serve as a precautionary guide.

“I often say that the absence of evidence is not proof of absence. So, if we know that this can cause, we must prevent it,” defends Elaine Costa.

Although there are not yet strict control policies. some attitudes can help reduce exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) and other similar compounds, such as BPS (bisphenol S, a chemical used as bpa: can invoice processing harm a substitute for BPA, but with similar hormonal effects).

The Elaine Costa endocrinologist explains that it is already possible to detect the presence of these substances in the body by tests of urine. saliva and other body fluids. But these tests are limited to research laboratories, as they depend on expensive equipment, such as mass spectrometry.

For her, the ideal scenario would be more strict legislation, with strict control of human exposure. “I think that the migration limit for food should be zero because we are already exposed to various endocrine disruptors in the air. in water, in food, on paper, in household items,” she said.

It also recommends more research to develop plastics that are really safe for human health.

In everyday life, some measures can help. The main orientation is to avoid using plastics to store or heat food and favor glass containers. It is also important to note whether children’s toys and utensils carry the seal “without bisphenol”.

However. caution is in order: “Bisphenol A is often replaced by variants such as bisphenol S or F, which also have a similar activity. It is not identical, but it is not similar. It cannot therefore be said that” without bisphenol “is completely safe”, warns the doctor.

It also recommends avoiding canned foods. because the inner bpa: can invoice processing harm lining of the boxes often contains bisphenol – and acidic foods, such as tomato paste, can speed up the release of the substance. “What we can do is minimize the exhibition as much as possible,” concludes Elaine Costa.