“BPA-free” is not risk-free: Czech study shows BPA declines, but BPS is partly replacing it

A new study reveals that over the past decade, urinary levels of Bisphenol A (BPA) in the Czech population have dropped significantly, while its substitute Bisphenol S (BPS) has increased. Despite this shift, BPA remains the dominant bisphenol, with concentrations exceeding safe limits — confirming that everyday exposure still poses health risks. The study was led by our research group at RECETOX, in collaboration with partners from the National Institute of Public Health (NIPH Prague).  

RECETOX MUNI: “BPA-free” is not risk-free: Czech study shows BPA declines, but BPS is partly replacing it: Temporal patterns of bisphenol exposure in the Czech population within the framework of regulatory measures.

“We found that over roughly a decade (2011–2012 vs. 2019–2020), urinary levels of Bisphenol A (BPA) in the Czech population dropped substantially — by 28.6 % in adults and 47.5 % in children — while levels of its substitute Bisphenol S (BPS) increased (121.1 % in adults, 90.0 % in children). We suggest this simultaneous decline in BPA and rise in BPS likely reflect manufacturers’ shift to BPA-free alternatives in response to regulation,” explains the main author of the study Daria Sapunova. 

Despite legislative measures, BPA still remains the dominant bisphenol in the Czech population, occurring at the highest concentrations and at the levels significantly higher than its substitutes BPS and Bisphenol F (BPF). Moreover, BPA levels in all age groups remain higher than what health experts consider safe, suggesting that everyday sources of exposure are still present around us and continue to pose risks.  

“Our results highlight the need for policymakers to regulate bisphenols as a group and prevent harmful substitutions like the shift from BPA to BPS and BPF, supported by continuous human biomonitoring. BPA is a well-known endocrine-disrupting chemical widely used in plastics and food packaging, with potential risks to human health. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals can interfere with our hormonal system and disturb its proper functioning,” adds Daria Sapunova. 

Studies link BPA exposure to altered puberty timing, reduced fertility changes in sperm quality. Additionally, BPA is associated with a higher risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes, likely due to its effects on metabolic regulation. Children and pregnant women are considered particularly vulnerable, and exposure during embryonic development can lead to irreversible changes later in life. Some studies also show associations between BPA exposure and changes in brain development, behavior, attention, and stress responses in children.  

“Despite bans and restrictions of BPA, our findings show that people — particularly children — remain exposed. The rise in BPS levels is worrisome because BPS was originally introduced as a safer alternative, but toxicological studies suggests it can poses similar health risks. Although the Czech population is still exposed to these harmful chemicals, legislative measures targeting BPA are effective and we should continue in this direction. In the case of children, we managed to reduce BPA concentrations by about half in a decade,” says Daria Sapunova. 

 The researchers analyzed first-morning urine samples from over 1,000 individuals sampled in two separate Czech cohorts: DEMOCOPHES-CZ mother–child pairs (2011–2012), and CELSPAC (2019–2020) covering school children, teenagers and young adults. Using accredited laboratory methods, they quantified total urinary concentrations of BPA, BPS, and BPF. They then examined how bisphenol levels differed over time and whether they were influenced by factors such as age, gender, smoking habits, or the season during which samples were collected. To evaluate potential health risks, the researchers compared all measured BPA concentrations with established health-based guidance values to determine whether different age groups exceeded safe exposure levels.  

 Authors thank all collaborating field workers, laboratory and administrative personnel, and especially the cohort participants who invested their time and provided samples and information for this study. The team thanks also the Research Infrastructure RECETOX RI (No. LM2023069) for a supportive background. The study was supported from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research No. 857560 (CETOCOEN Excellence) and from the Horizon Europe programme under grant agreement No. 101057014 (PARC). Also supported by the European Commission through the LIFE+ programme under grant agreement LIFE09 ENV/BE/000410. There are no particular limitations on communication arising from the funding. 

Learn more: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12302-025-01244-0