bisphenol A

noun

bis·​phe·​nol A ˌbis-ˈfē-nōl- 

-ˌnȯl-

: an industrial chemical compound C₁₅H₁₆O₂ that is a component especially of hard plastics (such as polycarbonate) and epoxy resins

The Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday that baby bottles and children's drinking cups could no longer contain bisphenol A, or BPA, an estrogen-mimicking industrial chemical used in some plastic bottles and food packaging.

—Sabrina Tavernise

… faulted federal agencies for reacting too slowly to concerns that children are exposed to bisphenol A, or BPA, through leaching from such items as water bottles, baby bottles and the linings of food and baby formula cans.

—James Hohmann

—abbreviation BPA

Examples of bisphenol A in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Read More: How Fast Fashion Harms the Environment — and People's Health Poor Pregnancy Outcomes Polyester (when combined with spandex) may also contain bisphenol A (BPA), another chemical compound that has been shown to potentially impact fertility. —Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 7 June 2025

Certain plastic additives like phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA), often present in synthetic fibers, are known endocrine disruptors linked to infertility and cancers according to the National Library of Medicine. —Dianne Plummer, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025

Additionally, scientists believe that certain chemicals in plastics, like phthalates, bisphenol A and flame retardants, can harm human health. —Nina Agrawal, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025

One contained both bisphenol A (BPA) and Acrylamide. —Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

bis + phenol

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

bisphenol A

noun

bis·​phe·​nol A ˌbis-ˈfē-ˌnōl-, -ˌnȯl- 

: an industrial chemical compound C₁₅H₁₆O₂ that is a component especially of hard plastics (such as polycarbonate) and epoxy resins

—abbreviation BPA

Note: Some studies involving exposure to bisphenol A have raised concerns about potential adverse health effects especially during infancy and childhood. Many plastic food and beverage containers and baby products (such as pacifiers) are no longer manufactured with bisphenol A.