What are the main materials in which BPA is found?

BPA is present in some plastics as a monomer, i.e. part of the polymer chain.

The main materials concerned are:

• Polycarbonate: kitchen utensils, childcare items, etc.
• BPA-based epoxy resins: food tins, drinks cans, etc.

Other materials that rarely or never come into contact with food are also concerned:

• Other plastics:
  
  • Polyester carbonate: microwave doors, etc.;
  •  Polyetherimide: hot drinks machine pumps;
  •  Polysulfone: filtration membranes for drinking water;
  •  Polyarylate: water treatment (conduits, pumps);
  • etc.
• Other resins:
  
  • Vinylester resins: shipbuilding, flooring, etc.;
  • Phenolic resins: coatings for the construction industry, the transport industry, etc.;
  •  etc.)

BPA can also be used as an additive in several plastics and resins:

• As a hardening agent in epoxy resins and other resins;
• As a polyamide stabiliser in electro-technical applications;
• As an antioxidant in the rubber used to make tyres, etc.