Bisphenol B Identified as a New Cause of Miscarriage

Bisphenol B (BPB), a chemical widely detected in human urine, has been identified as a novel risk factor for unexplained miscarriage. Researchers found the exact mechanism: it stops placental cells from migrating and forming properly.

What the Study Found

A 2026 study in Advanced Science discovered that women with unexplained miscarriage had higher urinary BPB levels. In their placental tissue, a newly identified cellular process called migrasome formation was suppressed.

In mice, BPB exposure directly caused miscarriage by blocking this same process in the placenta. The placental cells couldn't migrate and invade properly, which is essential for establishing a healthy pregnancy.

How BPB Causes the Damage

BPB increases estrogen receptor levels, which then disrupts a chain of molecular signals. This ultimately shuts down PKCA, a protein critical for cell migration and migrasome formation. Without proper migration, the placenta can't develop normally, and the pregnancy fails.

When researchers supplemented the missing proteins (Pkca or Tspan4), the miscarriage was prevented, confirming this pathway is the direct cause.

Where BPB Comes From

BPB is used as a replacement for BPA in plastics, food packaging, and industrial applications. It's another member of the bisphenol family that was quietly substituted in without adequate safety testing. It's now widely detected in human urine samples.

How to Reduce Exposure

Avoid all bisphenol-containing plastics, not just BPA. Use glass or stainless steel for food storage. Skip canned foods with plastic linings. Check out non-toxic baby products for safer options during pregnancy.

Also see glass food storage for safer alternatives.

Source: Huang W, et al. (2026). Adv Sci.