Bisphenol Chemicals Drive Millions of Metabolic Disease Cases Worldwide

A 2024 analysis in Science of The Total Environment found that bisphenol chemicals, including BPA and its replacements BPS and BPF, were linked to over 127 million cases of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome globally. While European regulations reduced BPA exposure by 33%, BPS and BPF use has risen sharply, increasing by 47% and 22%, respectively, and now account for more than 76% of bisphenol-related disease worldwide.

The study suggests that cutting global bisphenol exposure by 50% could prevent 49 million cases of metabolic disease and save $420 billion annually. Researchers warn that focusing solely on BPA may be insufficient and even misleading, as substitutes carry similar health risks. Assessing bisphenols as a chemical class, rather than individually, would allow regulators to make more effective public health decisions and avoid assuming replacements are safe without evidence.

19-12-2025