A COMMON chemical used in food and drink containers and baby bottles could be linked to heart disease and diabetes, research revealed yesterday.
Scientists in Exeter have discovered higher levels of bisphenol A (BPA) in people diagnosed with cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and liver abnormalities.
But experts said it was too early to say whether the chemical – found in many hous
ehold items – was the direct cause of the illnesses or whether other factors were to blame.
The researchers from Peninsula Medical School focused on the health of a group of almost 1,500 Americans who provided urine samples to measure levels of BPA.
They found a raised level of BPA was linked to a 39 per cent increased chance of someone having a cardiovascular disease, such as angina, and diabetes.
The 25 per cent of people with the highest BPA levels had nearly three times the odds of cardiovascular disease than those in the lowest 25 per cent. Higher BPA was also linked to abnormal concentrations of three enzymes in the liver, but no other links to illnesses such as cancer were found.
The research, published in Journal of the American Medical Association, coincides with a Food and Drug Administration inquiry into BPA in the US.
The researchers said more studies were needed to confirm their findings and to show whether BPA was actually causing the illnesses.
"Given the substantial negative effects on adult health that may be associated with increased BPA concentrations and also given the potential for reducing human exposure, our findings deserve scientific follow-up," the scientists said.
Professor Richard Sharpe, from Edinburgh University, said the study did not show BPA caused the diseases and further investigation was necessary.
"It is obviously a priority that we design studies to provide this information before we label BPA as the prime suspect ," he said.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) said the safety of BPA was being kept under review.
"The FSA will continue to closely monitor scientific reports about the health effects of BPA in the body and will take action to further protect consumers if it becomes necessary."
Professor Peter Weissberg, medical direct at the British Heart Foundation charity, said: "This study does not prove that BPA causes heart disease. However, it builds on previous research which suggests BPA may have adverse effects in animals and provides a possible mechanism, through known risk factors for heart disease, by which it could increase the risk of heart disease in humans. Further research on the safety of BPA is urgently required.
"For the time being, people should not be concerned that food stored in plastic containers will lead directly to a heart attack, but it is wise for everyone to know their own risk factors, such as obesity, smoking, high blood pressure and cholesterol, and modify them if possible."
