Bisphenols: Chemistry, Applications, and Health Concerns

 

Bisphenols are synthetic organic compounds characterized by two phenolic rings linked by a carbon bridge, forming the structural core for polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. The most prevalent is Bisphenol A (BPA), synthesized from phenol and acetone, followed by analogues such as Bisphenol S (BPS) and Bisphenol F (BPF) developed as substitutes (Vandenberg et al., 2009).

Industrial Applications

BPA-based polymers are used extensively in packaging, coatings, and textiles. Within the textile industry, bisphenol derivatives may appear in resin finishes, flame-retardant backings, printing pastes, and coating formulations for polyester or blended fabrics (Yang et al., 2020). Their ability to impart strength, chemical resistance, and dimensional stability makes them valuable in technical textiles, though their persistence raises safety concerns.

Health and Toxicological Profile

Bisphenols are recognized endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) capable of mimicking or antagonizing natural hormones such as estrogen and thyroid hormones (Rochester, 2013). BPA has been linked to reproductive toxicity, metabolic disorders, neurodevelopmental effects, and cardiovascular dysfunction in animal and epidemiological studies (Vandenberg et al., 2009; Perdomo-Ortiz et al., 2025). Evidence also indicates that analogues BPS and BPF demonstrate similar or even higher endocrine activity, undermining their use as “safer” replacements (Rochester & Bolden, 2023).

Mechanistically, bisphenols bind to nuclear hormone receptors—particularly ERα, ERβ, and thyroid hormone receptors—altering gene expression and signalling cascades (Muncke et al., 2022). They also disrupt cellular calcium homeostasis, oxidative balance, and epigenetic regulation (Perdomo-Ortiz et al., 2025).

Environmental Behaviour

BPA and its analogues are persistent in soil and aquatic environments, leaching from polymers and coatings into wastewater systems (Yang et al., 2020). In textile effluents, such leaching can occur during dyeing, finishing, or washing processes, contributing to micro-pollutant loads that resist biological degradation. Studies have detected bisphenols in sludge, sediments, and even atmospheric particulates, underscoring their ubiquity and bioaccumulation potential (Liao & Kannan, 2013).

Regulatory and Industrial Response

Due to mounting toxicological evidence, several regulatory bodies—including the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and the U.S. FDA—have imposed restrictions on BPA use in food-contact materials and children’s products. However, industrial substitution with BPS and BPF has not eliminated health risks (Rochester & Bolden, 2023). For textile manufacturers, adopting non-bisphenolic resin systems, implementing ZDHC-aligned chemical inventories, and ensuring ETP/ZLD treatment of effluents are key to compliance and sustainable production.

Textile Relevance and Recommendations

In textile finishing, bisphenol-based resins may contribute to crosslinking, coating durability, and heat resistance. Yet residual migration and worker exposure require scrutiny. Continuous monitoring, supplier transparency, and third-party certification (e.g., OEKO-TEX®, ZDHC Gateway) can help phase out bisphenol-derived chemistries.

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References

• Liao, C., & Kannan, K. (2013). Concentrations and profiles of bisphenol A and other bisphenol analogues in foodstuffs from the United States and their implications for human exposure. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 61(19), 4655–4662.

• Muncke, J., et al. (2022). Toxicological evaluation of bisphenol A and its analogues. Toxicology Research and Application, 6, 1–24.

• Perdomo-Ortiz, J., et al. (2025). Mechanisms of bisphenol A and its analogs as endocrine disruptors via nuclear-receptor binding and beyond. Archives of Toxicology, 99(5), 123–145.

• Rochester, J. R. (2013). Bisphenol A and human health: A review of the literature. Reproductive Toxicology, 42, 132–155.

• Rochester, J. R., & Bolden, A. L. (2023). Bisphenol A substitutes and obesity: A review of the epidemiology and non-mechanistic evidence. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 14, 1155694.

• Vandenberg, L. N., Maffini, M. V., Sonnenschein, C., Rubin, B. S., & Soto, A. M. (2009). Bisphenol-A and the great divide: A review of controversies in the field of endocrine disruption. Endocrine Reviews, 30(1), 75–95.

• Yang, C., et al. (2020). Endocrine-disrupting effects of bisphenol A exposure and recent advances on its removal by water treatment systems: A review. Science of the Total Environment, 733, 139260.