Context: Recently concluded CSIR study has shown that Bisphenol A (BPA) levels were below detection limits in PET bottles:
Background: Bisphenol A (BPA)
BPA is commonly used to coat the insides of food cans, bottle tops, and water supply lines, and was once a component of baby bottles.
Concerns:
- BPA is an endocrine disruptor.
- While BPA that seeps into food and drink is considered safe in low doses, prolonged exposure is suspected of affecting the health of children and contributing to high blood pressure.
- It can imitate the body's hormones, and it can interfere with the production, secretion, transport, action, function, and elimination of natural hormones.
- Research has linked exposure to fertility problems, male impotence, heart disease, insulin resistance, fetal brain development, breast and prostate cancer, and asthma
In a related context, scientists at Rice University in the US have developed tiny spheres that can catch and destroy bisphenol A (BPA), These micron-sized spheres developed resemble tiny flower-like collections of titanium dioxide petals.
It has a two-faced structure, with a hydrophobic (water-avoiding) cavity and a hydrophilic (water-attracting) outer surface.
BPA is hydrophobic and naturally attracted to the cavity. Once trapped, reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by the spheres degrades BPA into harmless chemicals.
