Adverse Health Effects of Bisphenol A Adverse Health Effects of Bisphenol A (BPA): Implications for the Use of BPA in Hemodialyzers and Other Medical Equipment

Bisphenol A is a very high volume chemical with estrogenic activity that is used in a wide range of products, including medical equipment such as hemodialyzers. Virtually all people have measurable amounts of BPA, since this chemical readily leaches out of products that contain it. BPA is associated with a wide range of diseases because it alters programming of the expression of genes that are critical for the normal development and adult functioning of numerous organ systems. Hemodialysis patients have impaired kidney function and thus reduced capacity to eliminate BPA and other toxic chemicals. Exposing patients undergoing hemodialysis to BPA contained in hemodialysis equipment could contribute to an increase in other diseases.