Comparing BPA vs. PFA
Which Forever Chemical Poses Greater Risk?
The term “forever chemicals” has become a buzzword in conversations about environmental health and safety. Bisphenol A (BPA) and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs) are two of the most scrutinized. Both BPA and PFAs are categorized as "forever chemicals" due to their persistence in the environment and the human body.
Let’s do a brief comparison between BPA and PFA to determine which chemical represents a greater threat and what steps consumers can take to mitigate risks regardless of which is worse.
Both substances degrade very slowly, if at all, leading to long-term contamination. This persistence poses significant forever chemical risks, including bioaccumulation, environmental toxicity, and widespread exposure. Both are a major part of modern manufacturing, yet they pose significant health and environmental challenges — but which one presents a greater risk?
Understanding BPA: A Plastic Additive Under Fire
BPA is a synthetic compound primarily used to manufacture polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. It’s commonly found in water bottles, food can linings, and even receipts. Although BPA’s benefits include durability and heat resistance, its notoriety arises from its ability to mimic estrogen, earning it the label of an endocrine disruptor.
Regulatory bodies, including the FDA and EFSA, have imposed restrictions on BPA use, particularly in baby bottles and food containers. However, alternatives like BPS and BPF may not be significantly safer.
Health Risks Associated with BPA
Numerous studies link BPA exposure to:
Hormonal imbalances, including early puberty [1]
Reproductive health issues, including reduced fertility [2], [3]
Developmental concerns, including behavioral changes in children [4]
Potential contributions to metabolic disorders like diabetes and obesity [5]
Environmental Impact of BPA
BPA can leach into soil and water, potentially affecting ecosystems. While it can degrade under specific conditions, it often persists in waterways, posing risks to aquatic life. Prolonged exposure to BPA in the environment can disrupt ecosystems and reduce biodiversity. It doesn’t degrade quickly in the environment, but its persistence pales in comparison to PFAs. [6], [7]
What Are PFAs? The Non-Stick, Water-Repellant, "Eternal" Contaminants
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs), a class of over 12,000 chemicals, are widely used for their water-repellent, nonstick, and stain-resistant properties. They’re found in things like fast food wrappers, clothing, nonstick cookware, and firefighting foam [8]. Dubbed “forever chemicals” due to their near-indestructibility, PFAs resist degradation and accumulate in the environment and living organisms. Their ability to remain in the bloodstream and bioaccumulate magnifies their potential harm over time.
Health Risks of PFAs
PFAs have been linked to severe health conditions, including:
Increased cancer risk (especially kidney and testicular cancers) [9]
Thyroid dysfunction [10]
Elevated cholesterol levels [11]
Remaining in the body for years compounds their effects with ongoing exposure [12].
Environmental Impact of PFAs
The persistence of PFAs in both humans and the environment exacerbates their impact, making them a focal point for public health concerns. They are nearly indestructible, contaminating water supplies, soil, and wildlife. Their resistance to degradation makes cleanup efforts difficult and costly, as traditional methods fail to break down these resilient compounds.
PFAs represent a significant environmental challenge and have been detected in remote locations, illustrating their global reach and lasting environmental impact. Governments worldwide are imposing stricter regulations on PFAs. The U.S. EPA recently proposed maximum contaminant levels for certain PFAs in drinking water, while the EU is moving toward a near-total ban. [13]
BPA and PFA Comparison: Risk Assessment
1. Prevalence
BPA: Found in specific consumer products, primarily plastics and resins.
PFAs: Present in a broader range of applications, from textiles to industrial processes.
2. Persistence
BPA: Moderately persistent; can degrade under certain conditions.
PFAs: Nearly indestructible, persisting in the environment for decades.
3. Health Risks
BPA: Linked to hormone disruption and developmental issues.
PFAs: Associated with cancer, immune suppression, and bioaccumulation.
4. Regulatory Focus
Both chemicals face increasing regulatory scrutiny. However, PFAs are at the center of a global push for bans and stricter controls due to their widespread contamination and long-term impacts.
Which Forever Chemical Poses Greater Risk?
The answer depends on perspective. From a human health standpoint, both BPA and PFAs pose forever chemical risks, but PFAs may edge out BPA due to their stronger links to severe diseases and their ability to accumulate over time. Environmentally, PFAs are the clear winner — or, rather, the greater threat — thanks to their unparalleled persistence and resistance to cleanup efforts. The environmental footprint of PFAs far exceeds that of BPA. Their presence in drinking water, food chains, and even human breast milk underscores the pressing need for mitigation.
When comparing BPA and PFAs, both chemicals present significant challenges:
Health Risks: PFAs are linked to more severe health outcomes, including certain cancers and immune suppression.
Environmental Impact: PFAs have a far greater environmental footprint due to their near indestructibility.
Longevity: PFAs persist in both the environment and human bodies for much longer than BPA.
Based on current evidence, PFAs pose a greater overall risk, particularly considering their global prevalence and lasting impact.
Managing Forever Chemical Risks: What Can You Do?
While BPA and PFAs differ in their specific hazards, they share a common lesson: the need for alternatives. By opting for safer products and adding smart supplementation to your routine, you can reduce your health risks.
Avoid BPA and PFAs
Look for "BPA-free" labels on plastics and opt for glass or stainless-steel alternatives.
Avoid non-stick cookware and stain-resistant fabrics, which often contain PFAs.
Check for Safer Alternatives
Use stainless steel, glass, or cast-iron cookware.
Choose natural fabrics over water-repellent treatments.
Use broad-spectrum chelators like MasterPeace™ and MasterRestore
MasterPeace™, using the power of zeolites, has been proven to significantly reduce forever chemicals in humans and is also safe for pets [14}.
MasterRestore also uses the power of zeolites but in a powdered form to remove various toxins throughout the digestive system and beyond. [15]. Live link - Shop Master Restore
By making conscious choices to reduce forever chemical risks by limiting exposure while remediating what is already present in our body using well-chosen products and engaging in conscious whole-body cleansing, we will no doubt see immediate and long-term benefits.
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References:
1. The Effect of Bisphenol A on Puberty: A Critical Review of the Medical Literature
4. https://ehjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1476-069X-13-27
8. Our Current Understanding of the Human Health and Environmental Risks of PFAS | US EPA
12. PFAS - Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances - Public Health
13. Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) | US EPA
Our unfortunate tendency to imbibe MSM-concocted dysmemes (neologism for "thought poisons") like "forever chemicals" psychologically plants and propagates a despair that simply should not exist, and ought to be forever uprooted from our collective vocabulary. Beginning at 1:09:50 of the YouTube video linked below, ex-MMA champ turned naturopath Pat Miletich and Dr. Wil Spencer discuss how naturally occurring "extremophiles" render the very expression "forever chemicals" moot:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKO_wmPvknU
Working together, MasterPeace and extremophiles can cleanse our soil and render forever chemicals forever obsolete.