When a pregnant woman is exposed to Bisphenol A (BPA), a study found that it can negatively affect fetal brain development and cause behavioral disturbances as well as cognitive decline.

The Safety Evaluation Research Institute announced on the 14th of this month that it confirmed that exposure to BPA through pregnant experimental animals has a toxic effect on neuronal formation and function during the stage of fetal brain development.

BPA is one of the bisphenolic compounds and is mainly used in the manufacture of plastic products.

When introduced into the body of an animal or human, it acts as an endocrine disruptor that interferes with or disrupts the normal function of the endocrine system.

According to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (hereinafter referred to as the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety), exposure is mainly through food, cosmetics, personal hygiene products and the environment, among which food is the largest source of exposure. In all age groups, exposure through food accounted for more than 70% of the total exposure, and with age, exposure through food increased, and exposure through the environment and inhalation was low.

Repeated exposure to BPA may damage or inflame the eyes and airways. In addition, metabolic syndrome (obesity, diabetes, hypertension), breast cancer, reproductive system disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological problems occur, and findings suggesting an association with chronic diseases have been reported.

In particular, repeated exposure of pregnant and nursing women to BPA can be transmitted to the fetus or infant through the placenta or breast milk, and this has been hypothesized to lead to childhood obesity and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

In a 2011 study of how many chemicals pregnant women are exposed to in the United States, BPA was found in 96% of women. However, there are no studies on the effects of exposure to BPA on fetal brain development during pregnancy yet, and this study confirmed that it can actually affect the fetus.

The research team of the Drug Addiction Research Group confirmed the molecular, biological, electrophysiological, and behavioral effects of BPA toxicity in fetal brain development through experimental animals.

As a result of molecular biology tests, exposure to BPA during pregnancy suppressed neuronal production in the fetal brain, resulting in a reduced number of neurons and a decrease in synapses (the area where different neurons connect). As a result, various neurodegenerative diseases or developmental disorders can lead to various cranial nerve diseases, such as deterioration of cognitive ability and motor function.

In addition, it was confirmed that it had an effect on the formation of the cerebral cortex and became thinner than its normal thickness. The cerebral cortex is an area of ​​the brain responsible for general cognitive ability and decision-making, and a decrease in the thickness of the cerebral cortex affects cognitive decline.

According to electrophysiological studies, the frequency of synchronous signals in neurons decreased, which led to a decrease in the activity of signals.

Behavioral studies have suggested that abnormal brain development can lead to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), such as hyperactivity and social deficits in adolescence in the future.

On the other hand, BPA is widely used in various industries, so it is difficult to ban its use completely until a safe alternative substance is developed.

Therefore, it is administered as a legally regulated substance all over the world, and in Korea, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, etc., set BPA standards and manage human exposure safety standards.