Bisphenol A (BPA) is a derivative of diphenymethane. Produced from petroleum, BPA is a carbon-based, synthetic compound. BPA is used to make polycarbonate thermoplastics and BPA epoxy resins, which can be found in a huge variety of applications: paint, coatings, industrial molds, CDs and other data discs, in electronics, water bottles, food containers, and so much more. BPA derived products can be found in every part of human life. It is also very dangerous.

bpaebookDangers of BPA

Nearly a thousand independently conducted and peer reviewed studies have linked BPA to a host of diseases and conditions. These include, but are not limited to:

• Lipid metabolism (obesity)

• Aneuploidy leading to Down’s syndrome, other birth defects, and even miscarriage

• Cancers, including breast and prostate cancer

• Elevated rates of liver toxicity, diabetes, and heart disease

BPA causes these issues in humans — more than 90% of the population — when it enters their bodies. BPA has been proven to undergo hydrolysis and leech out of or migrate from their original materials. For example, a plastic water bottle made with polycarbonate thermoplastic will leech BPA into the fluid it contains; BPA particles will migrate from a plastic takeout container or the epoxy coating of a sealed can into the food held inside of it. Some studies are seeing results that suggest BPA may even be absorbed through the skin on contact.

Benefits of HDPE

With the growing body of evidence, it is apparent that BPAs should be avoided. Given how widespread BPA materials are it may seem like an insurmountable challenge, but the answer is as simple as a change in material. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is, like BPA, a material derived from petroleum. The difference is that HDPE plastics are completely free from BPA and are therefore safe for applications that directly impact humans. At Precision Plastic Ball, we are proud to manufacture a number of BPA free and FDA approved HDPE plastic balls specifically for such applications. Our BPA free HDPE plastic balls are suitable for many industries, such as the food industry, which manufactures products explicitly for human consumption. They can be used for mixing, liquid flow control, and more. We also manufacture BPA free balls made from other materials, such as polypropylene and polystyrene. Balls of these materials are excellent for use in the medical field and can be used in mixing applications, valve and flow control, and chemical handling, to name a few. To help you keep your customers safe and healthy, Precision has published “BPA-Free HDPE Balls for Personal Care, Food, Medical, and Laboratory Industries,” a new eBook. Download your free copy today to learn more about the harmful effects of BPA and how working with Precision can help you avoid them.