Bisphenol A has been discussed ad infinitum recently. Its clearly a dangerous substance that has been outlawed in many European countries yet the "Leader in caring for its people", the USA continues to allow it to be used in plastic products that are used to package, store and prepare foods. Well now a recent study published by Tamara Galloway and associates - the InCHIANTI adult population study" Environ Health Perspect -  showed a direct correlation to excreted BPA and lowered testosterone levels in men.

"These results are important because they provide a first report in a large-scale human population of associations between elevated exposure to BPA and alterations in circulating hormone levels," Tamara Galloway, PhD, of the University of Exeter in England, and colleagues noted.

BPA has a history of concern regarding its possible effects on the human endocrine system. Exposure occurs primarily through dietary means, although dental sealants, dermal exposure, and inhalation of household dust also may contribute to total daily exposure. BPA appears to have estrogenic activities and this may be the source of its effects on lowering serum testosterone levels in men.

The linkage between elevated  estrogen and lowered testosterone is well noted and occur through the negative feedback loop of the Hypothalmus-Pituitary-Testicualr axis.

Now the real question is when will the all mighty protector of public health - The FDA - step in and mandate a winding down of the use of BPA here in the USA. My bet is no time soon since the companies that manufacture these products appear to have greater clout with the FDA than the people it claims to protect.

Vote with your dollars. Educate yourself about which products have BPA and steer clear entirely of them. This goes doubly if you have young children because disrupting the endocrine system can have long lasting negative effects to a developing body.

You've been warned.