A study out recently has prompted much media attention about the role of plastics in developing autism. In particular, the study focused on exposure to a component of hard plastics – bisphenol A, or BPA – in the womb and the risk of boys developing this neurodevelopmental disorder. Importantly, the study doesn’t show plastics containing BPA cause autism.
But it suggests BPA might play a role in oestrogen levels in infant and school-aged boys, which can then affect their chance of being diagnosed with autism. Let’s tease out the details. Remind me, what is BPA? BPA is a component of hard plastics that has been used for a few decades.
Because BPA is found in plastics used for food and some drink containers, many people are exposed to low levels of BPA every day. But concerns about how BPA impacts our health have been around for some time because it can also weakly mimic the effects of the hormone oestrogen in our body. Even though this action is weak, there are worries about health because we are exposed to low levels across our lifetime.
Some countries have banned BPA in baby bottles , as a precaution; Australia is voluntarily phasing it out in baby bottles. What is autism and what causes it? Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder diagnosed based on difficulties with social communication and repetitive and/or restrictive behaviours. People with autism may experience other issues, such as seizures, changes in motor function (for example, difficulties with fine motor co.