BPA Exposure in Womb Linked to Behavioral Woes in Girls

Study found they were more likely to be anxious, hyperactive as toddlers

October 24, 2011 RSS Feed Print

Chemical industry representatives, however, said the study has "significant shortcomings" and that other research has found BPA does not cause ill health effects at typical exposure levels.

"The study released in Pediatrics has significant shortcomings in study design and the conclusions are of unknown relevance to public health," a statement released by the American Chemistry Council said. "The researchers themselves acknowledge that it had statistical deficiencies, including its small sample size and the potential for the results being due to chance alone."

For pregnant women worried about reducing exposure to BPA, experts advised avoiding canned foods, plastics that contain BPA and cash register receipts.

Braun and his team plan to continue following the children in the study to see if the symptoms of depression and anxiety seen in some girls develop into full-blown depressive or anxiety disorders as they get older.

More information

The U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences has more on bisphenol A.