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

These microplastics contain chemical additives, including substances like phthalates and bisphenol A that can leach out and may have health effects in humans and animals, including effects on the endocrine system. —Judith Weis, The Conversation, 12 Jan. 2024

In addition, 79% of the food samples contained bisphenol A (BPA), an industrial chemical used in plastic manufacturing, and other bisphenols. —Elizabeth Napolitano, CBS News, 4 Jan. 2024

The advocacy group also said some bottles contained bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical known to cause fertility problems and some kinds of cancers. —Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 15 Mar. 2023

Vom Saal has spent several decades researching the potent effects of everyday low-dose exposure to chemicals like bisphenol A (BPA) that are known as endocrine disrupters. —Jill Neimark, Discover Magazine, 10 Dec. 2013

In this model, Zhao analyzed how the design performed for the degradation of six different micropollutants, including gemfibrozil, ciprofloxacin, carbamazepine, clofibric acid, bisphenol A, and acetaminophen (Figure 6). —IEEE Spectrum, 23 Jan. 2023

These include artificial endocrine disrupters, like bisphenol A used in plastic water bottles, and the many carcinogens in tobacco smoke. —George Johnson, Discover Magazine, 27 May 2013

Look for plastic that is free from bisphenol A (BPA) and stainless steel blades. —Chicago Tribune, 8 Jan. 2023

For more than half a century, manufacturers have been making plastics stronger and longer lasting thanks to an industrial chemical called bisphenol A, or BPA. —Eric Betz, Discover Magazine, 24 June 2020

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.