Study: BPA May Affect Girls’ Behavior

Exposure to BPA before birth could affect young girls’ behavior, a new study suggests. Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a chemical found in some plastics and many other products. The study included 244 pregnant women. Researchers measured BPA levels during pregnancy. They also measured it in the children. When the children were 3 years old, the mothers evaluated their behavior using a standard questionnaire. Girls whose mothers had high BPA levels during pregnancy scored lower. They were more likely to be anxious or depressed than other girls. They also had more problems with control of feelings or behavior. All of these measures were in normal ranges, however. No effect was seen in boys. Researchers said they were not sure why only girls seemed to be affected. But some research suggests that BPA mimics the effects of the female hormone estrogen.