Plastic Chemical BPA Linked to Aggressive Behavior in Girls

Young girls who as fetuses and newborns were exposed to higher levels of the plastic chemical bisphenol A (BPA) are more likely to display aggressive, hyperactive behavior later in life, a new study has found.

Researchers from the Gillings School of Global Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill studied pregnant women and found those with the highest concentrations of BPA in the blood gave birth to girls who by age two were exhibiting aggressive behavior, according to a HealthDay news report.

BPA is a chemical that is used in many hard plastics, but has been linked to severe developmental delays and other health problems in young children. Plastic infant bottles and sippy cups, the linings of infant formula containers, and other plastic products often contain BPA, which exposes children to the chemical in potentially dangerous levels.

BPA Bans in Place

In the last year, many bans on BPA in baby bottles and other children’s products have been enacted to limit exposure to children. Also, many “BPA-free” brands are available.

The chemical is so widely used that some studies have found more than 90 percent of people in the United States have detectable levels of BPA in their urine. In most people, the levels are so low that they have no effect on their health. However, developing children are at increased risk of suffering permanent and severe injuries linked to BPA exposure.

High BPA Levels Linked to Behavioral Problems in Girls

For the study, researchers examined 249 pregnant women from Ohio and took urine samples from the women before and after birth. They found that 99 percent of the women had detectable levels of BPA in at least one of the urine samples.

When the children turned two, the mothers were asked to fill out questionnaires about their children’s behavior. The study found higher levels of BPA in the blood was linked to more externalized aggressive behavior in girls.

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