What Is Bisphenol A?

Bisphenol A, also known as BPA, is used industrially to synthesize materials such as polycarbonate (PC) and epoxy resins. Since the 1960s, it has been used to manufacture plastic (milk) bottles, infant cups, and food and beverage (milk) cans. BPA is everywhere, from water bottles, medical equipment and food packaging. Every year, 27 million tons of BPA-containing plastics are produced worldwide. But BPA can also cause endocrine disorders, threatening the health of the fetus and children. Obesity caused by cancer and metabolic disorders are also thought to be related. The European Union believes that bisphenol A-containing baby bottles will induce precocious puberty. From March 2, 2011, the production of baby bottles containing the chemical substance bisphenol A (BPA) is banned.

Chinese name: Bisphenol A
English name: Bisphenol A
nickname: Diphenol propane; p, p'-isopropylidene bisphenol; 2,2-bis-p-phenol propane
Chemical formula: C15H16O2
CAS Registry Number: 80-05-7
EINECS registration number: SL6300000
Melting point: 158-159 ° C (lit.)
Boiling point: 220 ° C4 mm Hg (lit.)

Water soluble: <0.1 g / 100 mL at 21.5 ºC
Density: 1.195
Exterior: White needle crystal or flake powder
Flash point: 227
Security description: S: 24-26-37
Danger symbol: R: 36/37 / 38-43
Risk description: Environmental hormone
Abbreviation: BPA
Molar mass: 228.29 gmol-1

Bisphenol A introduction

Bisphenol A, scientific name 2,2-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) propane, referred to as diphenol propane for short. White crystal, melting point 156 158 . It is mainly used to prepare epoxy resin (about 65%) and polycarbonate (about 35%). Its potassium or sodium salt is the raw material for the production of polysulfone, and a small amount is used as a rubber antioxidant (see Rubber Auxiliaries).

Space filling model of bisphenol A molecule Bisphenol A is an important organic chemical raw material, an important derivative of phenol and acetone, and is mainly used for the production of various polymer materials such as polycarbonate, epoxy resin, polysulfone resin, polyphenylene ether resin and the like. Can also be used in plasticizers, flame retardants, antioxidants, heat stabilizers, rubber antioxidants, pesticides, coatings and other fine chemical products. ^[1]

Industrially, bisphenol A is produced by the condensation of phenol and acetone in an acidic medium:

In order to complete the reaction, acetone should be slightly excess; when sulfuric acid is used as the catalyst, the acid concentration is 72.5-76.3%, and the reaction temperature is about 40 ° C. The reaction is performed in a stirred tank, which can be produced by a batch method, or a device for continuous production can be arranged. The product is neutralized and separated to obtain crude bisphenol A, which is purified by xylene-water extraction to obtain a finished product. The sulfuric acid method requires less equipment and simple process, but the product quality is poor, the raw material consumption is high, and there are many "three wastes", which is only suitable for small and medium batch production. In order to obtain polymer bisphenol A of good quality, the commonly used industrial method is a method using hydrogen chloride gas as a catalyst. Acetone and phenol are mixed, and the reaction is performed under normal pressure using dry hydrogen chloride as a catalyst. The reaction is performed at 50-60 ° C for 8-9 hours, and the concentration of hydrogen chloride in the gas phase is maintained above 96%. In addition to bisphenol A, some isomers, trihydroxy or monohydroxy by-products are also formed in the reaction. These small amounts of impurities do not affect the manufacturing of epoxy resins. However, when it is used to make polycarbonate, it must be refined. The Hooke process uses distillation and extraction crystallization under pressure to refine bisphenol A, which reduces product costs. ^[1]

Physical and Chemical Properties of Bisphenol A

Basic properties of bisphenol A

[Chinese name] 2,2-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) propane; 2,2-bisphenol-based propane; bisphenol A; 2,2-diphenol-based

Propane; 4,4`-dihydroxydiphenylpropane; 4,4`- (1-methylethylene) bisphenol; 4,4`-isopropylidenebisphenol

[English name] 2,2-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) propane; bisphenol A;

4,4 '-(1-Methylethyliden) bisphenol; 4,4'- Isopropylidendiphenol

[InChI code] InChI = 1 / C ₁₅ H ₁₆ O ₂ / c1-15 (2,11-3-7-13 (16) 8-4-11) 12-5-9-14 (17) 10-6 -12 / h3-10, 16-17H, 1-2H3

[Toxicity] Oral LD ₅₀ 4200mg / kg in rats.

[Properties] White needle-like crystals.

[Solution] It is soluble in acetic acid, acetone, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, butanol, ether, benzene and alkaline solutions. It is slightly soluble in carbon tetrachloride and hardly soluble in water.

[Application] Used for making epoxy resin, polycarbonate, polyphenol oxygen, etc. It is widely used in domestic plastic products, including drinking water bottles and baby bottles. At the same time, it is also applied to the coating of metal surfaces, so that canned food is not easy to deteriorate and deteriorate. ^[2]

[Toxicity] Toxic and severe uncertain side effects, LD ₅₀ 4200 mg / kg. In July 2008, the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) recently obtained experimental data showing that when adults or infants are exposed to bisphenol A below the permissible level in plastic, they can be quickly converted and discharged from the body without Harm to health.

[Preparation or source] In the presence of a catalyst such as mercaptoacetic acid, chloroacetic acid, barium hydroxide or an ion exchange resin, it is prepared by the condensation of phenol and acetone.

[Others] Decomposes when heated to 180 ° C.

Bisphenol A molecular structure data

1. Molar refractive index: 68.16

2. Molar volume (m ^{3 /} mol): 199.5

3. Isotonic specific volume (90.2K): 519.7

4. Surface tension (dyne / cm): 46.0

5. Polarizability (10-24cm ³ ): 27.02

Calculated Chemical Data for Bisphenol A

1. Reference value for calculation of hydrophobic parameters (XlogP): 3.3

2. Number of hydrogen-bonded donors: 2

3. Number of hydrogen bond acceptors: 2

4. Number of rotatable chemical bonds: 2

5. Number of tautomers: 3

6. Topological molecular polar surface area (TPSA): 40.5

7. Number of heavy atoms: 17

8. Surface charge: 0

9. Complexity: 209

10. Number of isotope atoms: 0

11. Determine the number of atomic stereocenters: 0

12. Uncertain number of atomic stereocenters: 0

13. Determine the number of chemical bond stereocenters: 0

14. Number of stereochemical center of chemical bond: 0

15. Number of covalent bond units: 1

Bisphenol A substance toxicity

Toxicity data from literature and journals
Numbering	Toxicity type	testing method	Test object	Dosage used
1	Acute toxicity	oral	Rat	3250 mg / kg
2	Acute toxicity	oral	Mouse	2400 mg / kg
3	Acute toxicity	Inhale	Mouse	> 1700 mg / m ³ / 2H
4	Acute toxicity	Intraperitoneal injection	Mouse	150 mg / kg
5	Acute toxicity	Subcutaneous injection	Mouse	2500 mg / kg
6	Acute toxicity	oral	rabbit	2230 mg / kg
7	Acute toxicity	Skin surface	rabbit	3 ml / kg
8	Acute toxicity	oral	Guinea Pig	4 mg / kg
9	Acute toxicity	oral	mammal	6500 mg / kg
10	Chronic toxicity	oral	Rat	12 mg / kg / 12D-I
11	Chronic toxicity	oral	Rat	42 mg / kg / 8W-C
12	Chronic toxicity	oral	Rat	5460 mg / kg / 13W-C
13	Chronic toxicity	oral	Rat	31500 mg / kg / 9W-I
14	Chronic toxicity	oral	Rat	455 mg / kg / 26W-I
15	Chronic toxicity	Inhale	Rat	150 mg / m ³ / 6H / 13W-I
16	Chronic toxicity	Inhale	Rat	47 mg / m ³ / 2H / 19W-I
17	Chronic toxicity	oral	Mouse	273 mg / kg / 13W-C
18	Chronic toxicity	Inhale	Mouse	200 mg / m ³ / 2H / 41D-I
19	Chronic toxicity	oral	rabbit	31500 mg / kg / 9W-I
20	Chronic toxicity	oral	rabbit	4550 mg / kg / 26W-I
twenty one	Ocular toxicity	Skin surface	rabbit	250 mg
twenty two	Ocular toxicity	Skin surface	rabbit	500 mg / 24H
twenty three	Ocular toxicity	In the eye	rabbit	250 ug / 24H
twenty four	Mutation toxicity		Rat liver	200 umol / L
25	Mutation toxicity	Intraperitoneal injection	Rat	200 mg / kg
26	Mutation toxicity	oral	Rat	800 mg / kg / 4D (continuous)
27	Mutation toxicity		Hamster lung	200 umol / L
28	Mutation toxicity		Hamster Ovary	400 umol / L
29	Mutation toxicity		Hamster Ovary	400 umol / L
30	Reproductive toxicity	oral	Rat	10 mg / kg, 6-15 days after conception
31	Reproductive toxicity	oral	Rat	15 mg / kg, 6-15 days after conception
32	Reproductive toxicity	oral	Rat	2120ug / kg, female 10 days before conception 21 days s
33	Reproductive toxicity	oral	Rat	6400 ug / kg, 13-22 days after female conception
34	Reproductive toxicity	Intraperitoneal injection	Rat	1275 mg / kg, 1-15 days after conception
35	Reproductive toxicity	Intraperitoneal injection	Rat	1275 mg / kg, 1-15 days after conception
36	Reproductive toxicity	Intraperitoneal injection	Rat	1875 mg / kg, 1-15 days after female conception
37	Reproductive toxicity	Intraperitoneal injection	Rat	1275 mg / kg, 1-15 days after conception
38	Reproductive toxicity	Intraperitoneal injection	Rat	1875 mg / kg, 1-15 days after female conception

Bisphenol A uses, production and hazards

Bisphenol A uses

Bisphenol A is one of the most widely used industrial compounds in the world. It is mainly used in the production of polycarbonate, epoxy resin, polysulfone resin, polyphenylene ether resin, unsaturated polyester resin and other polymer materials. Can also be used to produce plasticizers, flame retardants, antioxidants, heat stabilizers, rubber antioxidants, pesticides, coatings and other fine chemical products.

In the manufacturing process of plastic products, the addition of bisphenol A can make it colorless and transparent, durable, lightweight and outstanding impact resistance. It can especially prevent acid vegetables and fruits from eroding metal containers from the inside. Therefore, it is widely used in canning. Food and beverage packaging, baby bottles, water bottles, sealants for dental fillings, ophthalmic lenses, and hundreds of other daily necessities.

Bisphenol A health hazards

Bisphenol A is widely used in life and has become a substance that people often come into contact with. Therefore, its security has become the focus of public attention, but its application is controversial.

Security research and controversy

The data of bisphenol A toxicity research at home and abroad are mainly the results of animal investigations and experimental studies, and there are relatively few reports on population epidemiological investigations and human trial studies on the toxicity of bisphenol A.

The data show that bisphenol A is a low toxicity chemical. Animal experiments have found that bisphenol A has an estrogen-like effect. Even very low doses can cause animals to produce precocious puberty, decrease sperm count, and increase prostate. In addition, some data show that bisphenol A has certain embryo toxicity and teratogenicity, which can significantly increase the incidence of ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, leukemia and other cancers in animals. At the same time, research has shown that bisphenol A is associated with asthma in mice, and preliminary human experiments have shown that pregnant women affected by bisphenol A in early pregnancy may cause infants to become infected with asthma.

Chinese scientists have specifically studied the effects of bisphenol A on male endocrine in humans. In this trial, researchers compared one group of male workers who had been exposed to bisphenol A in Chinese factories for more than 5 years with another group of workers who had not been exposed to bisphenol A for 5 years. . The results showed that male workers exposed to the environment of bisphenol A were four times more likely to have erectile dysfunction than the control group, and were seven times more likely to have ejaculation difficulties than the control group. The results of this study are the first direct evidence of long-term exposure to a bisphenol A environment that is harmful to health.

However, studies have shown that bisphenol A is not a risk factor for human carcinogenesis. Although some research results suggest that bisphenol A in plastic products such as plastic baby bottles may affect the growth and development of infants and children, and cause damage to children's brains and sexual organs, there is no sufficient evidence to date that infants or children release PC bottles Damaged by bisphenol A ingredients.

Studies have shown that the PC material used to make plastic containers may release toxic bisphenol A. The higher the temperature, the faster the release. However, there is still much controversy about whether plastic containers will actually release bisphenol A, and scholars from different circles have different opinions.

Use and dispute

It is a self-evident conclusion that bisphenol A is harmful to health. The government's immediate ban on the use of bisphenol A seems to be a matter of course, but it is not the case. Plastic containers containing bisphenol A are used in most countries in the world, including China.

However, guided by the traditional toxicology view that "dose size determines harm," people have always thought that the concentration of bisphenol A in people's daily life is very low, which is not enough to pose harm to the human body. Until the 1980s, the official test of bisphenol A followed standard conclusions: only when the dose of bisphenol A is much higher than the current level in the human body, can it cause organ failure, leukemia and weight A sharp decline. Under this recognition, bisphenol A is widely used with confidence. In the long-debated "low-dose bisphenol A is harmful or safe" debate between the private sector, manufacturers, and the government, major chemical manufacturers continue to produce various bisphenol A-containing products and sell them overseas. .

Due to the results of various studies on bisphenol A and the occurrence of adverse events, such as the "baby bottle containing bisphenol A" incident, many countries have rectified the production and use of this chemical. For example, the United States has taken the lead in banning the use of the chemical substance bisphenol A in food and beverage containers such as baby bottles; the Canadian government has banned the import and sale of polycarbonate plastic baby bottles containing bisphenol A; and French Senate personnel have also begun to formulate bisphenol A Prohibition policy; China's Ministry of Health and six other departments also issued a ban on May 30, 2011, prohibiting the use of bisphenol A in baby bottles.

Bisphenol A International Attitude

Industry response

Forzani Group, Canada's largest sports products retailer, removed all bisphenol A-containing water bottles from its more than 500 stores, followed by other retailers;

Wal-Mart supermarkets and some other major retailers have already started removing food containers containing BPA;

Some baby goods stores are also phasing out products containing bisphenol A;

Some manufacturers have started to promote the promotion of bisphenol A-free baby bottles.

National bisphenol A restrictions

Sweden: In March 2013, the Swedish Code published regulation SFS 2012: 991, which banned the inclusion of bisphenol A (BPA) in paints and coatings for food packaging for children under 3 years old. Effective July 1, 2013.

Norway : The earliest to include bisphenol A in restricted substances was the Norwegian RoHS Directive, which was originally scheduled to enter into force on January 1, 2008, and was postponed because many issues have not yet reached consensus. Bisphenol A (BPA) is included in 10 substances.

Canada: On October 18, 2008, Canada declared bisphenol A as a toxic chemical, thus becoming the first country in the world to list bisphenol A as a toxic chemical, and banned the use of bisphenol A in the manufacture of baby bottles. Phenol A.

United States

1) Federal: Proposed ban on use in "reusable food containers" and "other food containers" (BPA) in March 2009. The ban came into effect 180 days after it was officially passed.

2) Suffolk County, New York: The resolution announced on April 2, 2009 will take effect 90 days later. Under this law, no one in Suffolk County may sell or provide for sale baby bottles and child beverage containers containing BPA for children under 3 years of age.

3) Illinois: As of July 1, 2010, no one may sell, offer, distribute, or provide for distribution, sports water bottles containing bisphenol A, or children's food containers suitable for children 3 years or younger, It does not matter whether the container is filled with food or drink.

4) Maryland: Child care products must not contain bisphenol A or any other substance that is carcinogenic or harmful to the reproductive system, and manufacturers must label their products without bisphenol A. Violations of the above provisions can be fined up to $ 10,000 each.

China: On May 30, 2011, the Ministry of Health and other 6 departments issued a public announcement saying that in view of the fact that infants and young children belong to sensitive groups, in order to prevent food safety risks and protect the health of infants and young children, bisphenol A is prohibited from being used in infant bottles.

Status of domestic production of bisphenol A

Research and Application of Phenol Acetone Condensation Catalyst Through the study of bisphenol A core catalyst technology, it has solved the core catalyst technical problems that China has not been able to break through in the research of bisphenol A technology since the 1990s, taking the lead in completing 10,000 tons in Tianjin Grade bisphenol A long-term industrial test. Due to the high activity, good selectivity and long life of the catalyst developed by this project, after the promotion in Jiangsu Province, the problems of the transformation and localization of the two sets of imported devices in Wuxi Resin Plant were completely solved. Using the catalyst developed by this project, 25,000 Ton / year Bisphenol A introduced in Japan has reduced waste residue by 480 tons / year, and the unit consumption of phenol and acetone has been greatly reduced. The new catalyst was applied from 2002 to July 2005, with an increase of 672 million yuan in sales and US $ 25.73 million in exports.

February 23, 2005: Since the reform and opening up, the average annual development rate of China's epoxy resin industry has reached more than 20%, far exceeding the average growth rate of the world's epoxy resin industry by 3% during the same period. Such a development speed has strongly stimulated the development of China's bisphenol A production. Among them, Bluestar New Material Wuxi Resin Factory has built an international level 25,000 ton / year device. The product has been approved by the international chemical giants, and it also has independent knowledge. Property rights of advanced bisphenol A production process. However, bisphenol A is still a naive industry in China. Facing the multinational companies that have been tempted by the huge market temptation, the development and growth of China's bisphenol A industry needs the support of all parties.

Bisphenol A is mainly used in the production of epoxy resins and polycarbonates. It is one of the fastest growing chemical products in China. The main use in China is to prepare epoxy resins. Historically, Chinese epoxy resin manufacturers produced their own bisphenol A. At that time, no bisphenol A was available on the market. After the reform and opening up, users have high requirements for the quality and variety of epoxy resins. At that time, Wuxi Resin Factory and Shanghai Resin Factory started research on the production process of bisphenol A. In order to eliminate the long-term sulfuric acid production process of bisphenol A , since the early 1980s, China's Wuxi Resin Factory, Shanghai Dyeing and Chemical Plant No. 2 and Dalian Paint Factory have carried out almost simultaneous tests of ionized bisphenol A. I would like to learn from foreign advanced experience and plan to introduce advanced technology of bisphenol A to develop bisphenol A in China, but both of these roads have encountered difficulties. According to Cha Wenhai, an expert from the China Epoxy Resin Industry Association, the former entered the 500-ton / year industrial test and encountered problems in post-processing equipment and technology. The latter could not overcome the key to Western countries restricting the import of strategic technologies to China. Line of defense. In this situation, Wuxi Resin Factory introduced a more advanced process for producing bisphenol A from Poland in the late 1980s, narrowing the gap with the world's advanced level and solving the problems encountered in the development of epoxy resins. Difficulties in raw materials make domestic epoxy resins gain a place in the fierce market competition.

Status of bisphenol A market

Plastic bottle PP material has taken the lead, PC bottle has gradually withdrawn from the market

The European Union believes that bisphenol A can be precipitated into food and beverages when heated. It may disrupt the human body's metabolic process, affect infant development, immunity, and even cause cancer. The EU banned the production of plastic bottles containing bisphenol A from March 1, 2011, and banned the import of any bisphenol A plastic bottles to member states from June. Most domestic supermarkets have removed the "PC" logo bottles from the shelves, and most of the bottles on the shelves are bottles marked with "PP".

When buying, be sure to check whether the bottle bottom mark is "pp" or "pc" or the value "5" or "7". These numbers are plastic material codes and have the following correspondence:

1: PET polyethylene terephthalate

Common mineral water bottles, carbonated beverage bottles, etc. Heat-resistant to 70 ° C, easy to deform and melt out harmful substances. After the No. 1 plastic product is used for 10 months, it may release the carcinogen DEHP. Do not leave in the car; do not hold wine, oil, etc.

2: HDPE high density polyethylene

Common white medicine bottles, cleaning supplies, bath products. Do not use it as a water glass or as a storage container for other items. Do not clean thoroughly. Do not recycle.

3: PVC polyvinyl chloride

Common raincoats, building materials, plastic films, plastic boxes, etc. Excellent plasticity and cheap price, so it is widely used, only heat-resistant 81 . It is easy to produce bad substances at high temperature, and it is rarely used in food packaging. Difficult to clean and easy to remain, do not recycle. Do not buy if you have drinks.

4: PE polyethylene

Common plastic wrap, plastic film, etc. Harmful substances are produced at high temperatures. Toxic substances can enter the body with food and may cause breast cancer, birth defects, and other diseases. Do not put plastic wrap in the microwave.

5: PP polypropylene

Common milk bottles, yogurt bottles, fruit drink bottles, microwave lunch boxes. With a melting point of 167 ° C, it is the only plastic box that can be placed in a microwave oven and can be reused after careful cleaning. It should be noted that for some microwave lunch boxes, the box body is made of No. 5 PP, but the lid is made of No. 1 PE. Since PE cannot withstand high temperatures, it cannot be put into the microwave oven with the box body.

6: PS polystyrene

Common bowls of instant noodle boxes and fast food boxes. Do not put it in a microwave oven to avoid the release of chemicals due to high temperature. After loading with acid (such as orange juice) and alkaline substances, carcinogens will be broken down. Avoid packing hot food in fast food boxes. Do not cook instant noodles in a microwave oven.

7: PC other categories

Common kettle, space cup. Department stores often use drinking glasses of this material as gifts. It is easy to release the toxic substance bisphenol A, which is harmful to the human body. Do not heat during use and do not expose to direct sunlight.

Bisphenol A expert interpretation

1 Use plastic baby bottle to sterilize not exceeding 100

2 It needs to be replaced after several months of use; there is a bisphenol A limit in China

Dong Jinshi, executive vice-chairman and secretary-general of the International Food Packaging Association, told reporters yesterday that bisphenol A mainly increases transparency and has good anti-fall properties and is not easy to crack. For bisphenol A used in food packaging, China has national standards.

According to reports, China has only one current national standard applicable to all PC bottles, which is GB 14942-1994 "Sanitary Standards for Polycarbonate Resins for Food Containers and Packaging Materials", which stipulates the amount of bisphenol A: one liter of distilled water The phenol contained must be 0.05mg.

Dong Jinshi pointed out that this is a national compulsory standard. According to regulations, every PC plastic product must be tested for bisphenol A, and it is limited to use. If a qualified PC material is used, bisphenol A will not exceed the standard. However, if the bottle is made of recycled discs and industrial plastics, it can easily cause bisphenol A to exceed standards.

Dong Jinshi said that large brand plastic bottles sold in supermarkets are more reassuring. However, for reasons of caution, glass bottles are best. If plastic bottles are used, the temperature should not exceed 100 ° C during sterilization. Do not put the bottles in a microwave oven for sterilization. Plastic bottles will wear out after repeated disinfection, and the amount of bisphenol A dissolves will increase, so they must be replaced after several months of use.

PP Safety Bottles without Bisphenol A In addition to glass bottles, you can also choose PP, PPSU and other materials, and these are safe materials without bisphenol A. Babies can use glass bottles for feeding 3 months ago. When the little ones start to hold their hands after 3 months, they can use PP or PPSU plastic bottles. PPSU is brown in color, crystal clear and also resistant to high temperature of 180 , but the price is much more expensive. The general working class is most suitable for PP. Although it is not very crystal clear, it is safer than PC, absolutely does not contain bisphenol A, and the price is slightly lower than PPSU, which is more affordable.

Bisphenol A Additional Information

China's ban on bisphenol A

The official website of the Ministry of Health was announced on April 20, 2011. The Ministry of Health is in public consultation on the "Notice on Prohibition of Bisphenol A in Food Containers for Infants and Young Children". According to the comments, it is planned that from June 1, 2011, bisphenol A will be banned from being used in the production and import of infant food containers (such as baby bottles), and from September 1, 2011, the sale of bisphenol A will be banned. Baby food container.

On April 20, 2011, the "Regulations on Soliciting Prohibition of Bisphenol A" issued from the Ministry of Health to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Commerce, the General Administration of Industry and Commerce, the General Administration of Quality In the Letter on Announcement Opinions on Containers for Food for Infants and Young Children, it was learned that, in order to prevent food safety risks and protect the health of infants and young children, it is decided to ban bisphenol A from being used in food containers for infants.

Announcement of the Ministry of Health and other 6 departments on banning bisphenol A in baby bottles (Ministry of Health Announcement 2011 No. 15)

The new regulations state that it is intended to ban the production and import of bisphenol A in infant food containers (such as baby bottles) from June 1, 2011. As of September 1, 2011, the sale of infant food containers containing bisphenol A is prohibited. However, bisphenol A is allowed to be used for the production of food packaging materials, containers and coatings other than baby bottles, and the migration amount should meet the limits set by the relevant national food safety standards.

4,4-dihydroxydiphenylpropane (Bisphenol A, also known as bisphenol A or BPA) is a raw material for a variety of polymer materials such as polycarbonate and epoxy resin. Products and food-related products, such as food packaging materials and containers. Bisphenol A can be migrated into food through food packaging materials and containers. National standards for food-related products stipulate its migration amount. Scientific research shows that the amount of bisphenol A migrated in food-related products is extremely small, and bisphenol A has not been found to adversely affect human health. In view of the sensitive population of infants and young children, in order to prevent food safety risks and protect the health of infants and young children, it is decided to ban bisphenol A from being used in infants' baby bottles. The related matters are announced as follows:

1. From June 1, 2011, the production of polycarbonate baby bottles and other baby bottles containing bisphenol A is prohibited. Since September 1, 2011, the import and sale of polycarbonate baby bottles and other baby bottles containing bisphenol A have been banned and recalled by manufacturers or importers.

2. Bisphenol A is allowed to be used in the production of food packaging materials, containers and coatings other than baby bottles, and its migration volume should meet the limits set by relevant national food safety standards.

3. Food packaging material and container manufacturing enterprises shall organize production and operation in accordance with the requirements of this announcement, and relevant industry associations shall strengthen industry management and industry self-discipline to guide enterprises to regulate production and operation activities.

4. All relevant food safety supervision departments shall strengthen supervision and law enforcement, strengthen supervision and inspection of baby bottles, and investigate and deal with illegal acts that do not meet the requirements of this announcement.

Special announcement.

Plastic product identification

When buying and using plastic products (especially baby products), people are advised to check whether the chemical description is included in the product description label and choose products that do not contain bisphenol.

Each plastic container has a small ID card and a triangle symbol on it, which is usually located on the bottom of the plastic container. There are 1 to 7 numbers in the triangle. Each number represents a kind of plastic container. They are made of different materials and have different taboos.

"No. 1" stands for polyethylene terephthalate (PET, commonly known as polyester resin), which is often used to make mineral water bottles and carbonated beverage bottles. Beverage bottles are heat-resistant to 70 ° C when used, and are only suitable for warm or frozen drinks. They can be easily deformed when they are filled with high-temperature liquids or heated, and harmful substances can be melted out.

"No. 2" stands for high-density polyethylene plastic (HDPE), which is mostly used to make containers for cleaning products and bath products. Incomplete cleaning is not recommended for recycling.

"No. 3" stands for polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and is rarely used in food packaging. It is best not to buy it.

"No. 4" stands for Low Density Polyethylene Plastic (LDPE), which is a commonly used material for the production of cling film and plastic film. The cling film is not heat resistant. Generally, qualified polyethylene cling film will be hot melted when the temperature exceeds 110 , leaving some plastic preparations that cannot be decomposed by the human body. Therefore, the use of cling film to cover the food surface should be avoided. heating.

"No. 5" stands for polypropylene (PP) and is used to make microwave lunch boxes. The only plastic box that can be placed in a microwave oven can be reused after careful cleaning.

"No. 6" stands for polystyrene (PS), which is often used in the production of instant noodle boxes and snack boxes. It is heat-resistant and cold-resistant, but cannot be placed in a microwave oven, and it cannot be used for loading strong acids (such as orange juice) and strong alkaline substances, which will decompose polystyrene that is harmful to the human body and easily cause cancer.

"No. 7" stands for Polycarbonate (PC) and others. PC is a material that is widely used, especially for making baby bottles and space cups. If the plastic container you purchased is number 7, you can reduce the harm by the following methods: Do not heat when using; Do not wash the container with a dishwasher or dishwasher; Keep the container out of direct sunlight; First Before the second use, wash with baking soda powder and warm water, and dry naturally at room temperature, because bisphenol A will release more during the first use and long-term use; If the container has any injuries or damage, it is recommended to stop Use because if there are slight pits on the surface of plastic products, it is easy to hide bacteria; Avoid repeated use of aging plastic appliances.

If you are still worried that plastic products will harm the human body at high temperature, then it is best not to use it to contain high temperature liquids, instead use ceramics, steel cups, glass and other containers to hold them. This will not only reduce the damage to the human body. Harm, but also make the environment better by reducing the use of petrochemicals.