BPA may lead to sexual problems in males

Findings of the study published in the journal Human Reproduction are significant as this is the first study to examine the effects of the chemical on reproductive systems of humans.

Researchers from the Kaiser Foundation Research Institute examined 634 male workers exposed to elevated levels of BPA at four factories in China with the aid of U.S. National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health.

The sexual health of these workers was followed for five years and compared with workers in other Chinese factories where BPA was not present.

High BPA levels linked to male sexual problems
After a period of five years, it was found that the men exposed to higher levels of BPA were four times more likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction and seven times as likely to have difficulty with ejaculation.

The chemical was found to have caused hormonal imbalance thereby leading to such dysfunctions.

Researchers also noted that exposure to elevated levels of BPA was enough to cause sexual problems in the workers. They did not have to spend years in such factories to develop such dysfunctions.

De-Kun Li, a scientist at the Kaiser Foundation Research Institute, which conducted the study, said, "This was a highly exposed group, and we see the effect. Now, we have to worry about lower-level exposure."

Previous studies conducted on laboratory animals has also linked BPA exposure to a growing number of health complications including infertility, weight gain, behavioral changes, early-onset puberty, cancer, and diabetes.

FDA’s verdict
Regardless of the tested and proven scientific results, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) maintains that the chemical is safe.

However, the health advocates caution that the chemical can be really harmful for one’s health as it is easily absorbed through food and drink containers.

In the wake of growing concern about the chemical’s ill effects, several manufacturers have vowed to take the chemical out from the baby bottles and water bottles.

In order to end the debate about the safety of the chemical, federal government of U.S. has sanctioned $30 million to the researchers to advance knowledge about BPA.