Can emerging bisphenol replacements cross the placenta and trigger preterm birth?

What's actually in it

After concerns about BPA, manufacturers switched to newer bisphenol chemicals like BPS, BPF, BPAF, and others. These replacements show up in food cans, receipt paper, plastic containers, and water pipes. But early research suggests they may not be safer than the chemical they replaced. They can cross the placenta just like BPA does.

What the research says

A 2026 study in Environ Toxicol Pharmacol examined how emerging bisphenol replacements transfer from mother to fetus and their potential link to preterm birth. The researchers found that multiple bisphenol analogs crossed the placenta and were detected in fetal tissue. Some were potentially linked to iatrogenic preterm birth.

Preterm babies face higher risks of breathing problems, infection, and developmental delays. If bisphenol replacements contribute to preterm birth, the switch from BPA may not have made products safer for pregnant women.

Avoid all plastic food containers during pregnancy, not just those with BPA. "BPA-free" doesn't mean bisphenol-free. Use glass, stainless steel, or ceramic for food storage and preparation.