Potency wrecking compound linked to heart disease

Scientists are now suspecting that toxic chemical BPA, known to wreck male potency, may also be linked to heart disease.

People with higher urine concentrations of Bisphenol A or BPA, a toxic compound widely used in plastic bottles, food and beverage packaging, were at a greater risk of developing heart disease, according to the findings from a 10-year study.

Researchers from the Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry had previously identified the link between BPA and higher risk of cardiovascular disease by using two sets of US data, the journal Circulation reports.

David Melzer, professor at the Peninsula Medical School, who led the team, said: “This study strengthens the statistical link between BPA and heart disease. It is now important that government agencies organise drug style safety trials of BPA in humans.”

Tamara Galloway, professor at the University of Exeter (UK), senior study author, said: “It adds to the evidence that BPA may be an additional contributor to heart disease risk alongside the major risk factors, such as smoking, high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels.” The previous data showed a link between exposure to BPA and cardiovascular disease but it could not help researchers predict how exposure to the chemical might affect future health, according to a Peninsula statement.

The most recent study uses data from the European Prospective Investigation of Cancer (EPIC) in UK.

It is the first time that data has been used to establish a link between exposure to BPA and future onset of cardiovascular disease. The study compared urine BPA measures from 758 initially healthy EPIC study respondents who later developed cardiovascular disease, and 861 respondents who remained heart disease free.