Bisphenol analogues in people living in Canada

Learn about human biomonitoring of bisphenol analogues in Canada.

On this page

• About bisphenol analogues
• Data sources for bisphenol analogue biomonitoring
• Results of bisphenol analogue biomonitoring
• Related links
• How to cite this web page

About bisphenol analogues

Bisphenol analogues are a group of chemicals that have similar structures and uses as bisphenol A (BPA). These uses include the production of certain plastics and other products.

The use of bisphenol analogues increased after new rules restricted the production and use of BPA. There are many types of bisphenol analogues. Commonly used bisphenol analogues that are often detected in people include:

• bisphenol E (BPE)
• bisphenol F (BPF)
• bisphenol S (BPS)

BPE, BPF and BPS may be used as replacements for BPA in epoxy resins and polycarbonate or polyethersulfone plastics. These materials can be found in a variety of products such as:

• water bottles
• food containers
• canned foods and beverages
• dental sealants and medical devices

BPS is also used as an ink developer in thermal papers used for receipts. BPF can also form naturally in mustard seeds.

People are exposed to BPE, BPF and BPS by:

• eating foods or drinking water and other beverages after these chemicals have leached from food packaging and repeat-use polycarbonate plastic containers
• skin contact with items that contain these chemicals

BPE, BPF and BPS are absorbed in the body after exposure. Bisphenols are measured in a urine sample. The presence of these bisphenol analogues in your urine reflects recent exposure to these chemicals.

The presence of a substance in your body doesn't mean it will affect your health.

Potential health effects of BPE, BPF and BPS

Bisphenol analogues may have similar health effects as BPA, because they have similar structures and similar physical and chemical properties. The potential health impacts of BPA include adverse effects on the liver, kidneys, reproduction, development and behaviour. There is less information available on the health impacts of BPE, BPF and BPS.

What we're doing to lower human exposures to BPE, BPF and BPS

We have identified bisphenol analogues for consideration as a chemical group for potential future activity under Canada's Chemicals Management Plan. In 2021, we issued a notice to collect information on the commercial status, industrial processes and uses in Canada from manufacturers, importers and those who use these chemicals to produce goods. We will use this information to determine possible risk assessment and risk management actions for bisphenol analogues.

Data sources for bisphenol analogue biomonitoring

This fact sheet presents human biomonitoring data from the:

• Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS)
• Maternal-Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals (MIREC) study
• Qanuilirpitaa? 2017 Nunavik Inuit Health Survey (Q2017)

You can access more results for bisphenol analogues and other self-care and consumer product chemicals in the Canadian population through the Canadian biomonitoring dashboard.

We wish to acknowledge all participants, including Indigenous peoples, who took part in the biomonitoring studies.

Results of bisphenol analogue biomonitoring

Figure 1: Levels in the Canadian population

From 2014 to 2019, average levels of BPE decreased by 28% and average levels of BPF decreased by 37%. Average levels of BPS were relatively unchanged over time.

Text description

Table 1, Average levels of BPE, BPF and BPS in Canada

Chemical	Collection period	Geometric mean level (µg/L)	95% confidence interval (µg/L)
BPE	2014 to 2015	0.032	0.030–0.035
BPE	2016 to 2017	0.024	0.022–0.026
BPE	2018 to 2019	0.023	0.021–0.025
BPF	2014 to 2015	0.19	0.16–0.23
BPF	2016 to 2017	0.15	0.12–0.19
BPF	2018 to 2019	0.12	0.096–0.16
BPS	2014 to 2015	0.37	0.32–0.43
BPS	2016 to 2017	0.36	0.31–0.41
BPS	2018 to 2019	0.37	0.32–0.44

Figure 2: Levels in the Canadian population, by age group

From 2014 to 2019, average levels of BPE were higher in children and adolescents than in adults. Average levels of BPF and BPS were similar across age groups in the most recent collection period, from 2018 to 2019.

Text description

Table 2, Average levels of BPE, BPF and BPS by age group

Chemical	Collection period	Age group (years)	Geometric mean level (µg/L)	95% confidence interval (µg/L)
BPE	2014 to 2015	3 to 5	0.043	0.034–0.054
BPE	2014 to 2015	6 to 11	0.056	0.046–0.069
BPE	2014 to 2015	12 to 19	0.041	0.032–0.052
BPE	2014 to 2015	20 to 39	0.034	0.029–0.039
BPE	2014 to 2015	40 to 59	0.029	0.023–0.036
BPE	2014 to 2015	60 to 79	0.024	0.021–0.028
BPE	2016 to 2017	3 to 5	0.047	0.038–0.057
BPE	2016 to 2017	6 to 11	0.049	0.042–0.058
BPE	2016 to 2017	12 to 19	0.041	0.034–0.050
BPE	2016 to 2017	20 to 39	0.025	0.020–0.031
BPE	2016 to 2017	40 to 59	0.019	0.016–0.023
BPE	2016 to 2017	60 to 79	0.018	0.016–0.021
BPE	2018 to 2019	3 to 5	0.046	0.041–0.051
BPE	2018 to 2019	6 to 11	0.047	0.036–0.063
BPE	2018 to 2019	12 to 19	0.034	0.030–0.039
BPE	2018 to 2019	20 to 39	0.022	0.018–0.027
BPE	2018 to 2019	40 to 59	0.019	0.015–0.025
BPE	2018 to 2019	60 to 79	0.019	0.016–0.022
BPF	2014 to 2015	3 to 5	0.098	0.076–0.13
BPF	2014 to 2015	6 to 11	0.17	0.12–0.25
BPF	2014 to 2015	12 to 19	0.20	0.13–0.30
BPF	2014 to 2015	20 to 39	0.26	0.20–0.34
BPF	2014 to 2015	40 to 59	0.18	0.12–0.29
BPF	2014 to 2015	60 to 79	0.15	0.089–0.24
BPF	2016 to 2017	3 to 5	0.10	0.073–0.14
BPF	2016 to 2017	6 to 11	0.13	0.091–0.18
BPF	2016 to 2017	12 to 19	0.18	0.12–0.27
BPF	2016 to 2017	20 to 39	0.17	0.12–0.24
BPF	2016 to 2017	40 to 59	0.13	0.074–0.21
BPF	2016 to 2017	60 to 79	0.17	0.12–0.24
BPF	2018 to 2019	3 to 5	0.12	0.078–0.20
BPF	2018 to 2019	6 to 11	0.12	0.078–0.20
BPF	2018 to 2019	12 to 19	0.12	0.093–0.16
BPF	2018 to 2019	20 to 39	0.12	0.053–0.26
BPF	2018 to 2019	40 to 59	0.13	0.084–0.19
BPF	2018 to 2019	60 to 79	0.13	0.093–0.19
BPS	2014 to 2015	3 to 5	0.33	0.28–0.40
BPS	2014 to 2015	6 to 11	0.33	0.26–0.41
BPS	2014 to 2015	12 to 19	0.33	0.23–0.46
BPS	2014 to 2015	20 to 39	0.37	0.29–0.48
BPS	2014 to 2015	40 to 59	0.37	0.29–0.47
BPS	2014 to 2015	60 to 79	0.44	0.35–0.56
BPS	2016 to 2017	3 to 5	0.36	0.30–0.43
BPS	2016 to 2017	6 to 11	0.32	0.26–0.39
BPS	2016 to 2017	12 to 19	0.50	0.36–0.69
BPS	2016 to 2017	20 to 39	0.31	0.23–0.40
BPS	2016 to 2017	40 to 59	0.36	0.25–0.52
BPS	2016 to 2017	60 to 79	0.40	0.34–0.47
BPS	2018 to 2019	3 to 5	0.39	0.31–0.50
BPS	2018 to 2019	6 to 11	0.50	0.30–0.82
BPS	2018 to 2019	12 to 19	0.39	0.31–0.47
BPS	2018 to 2019	20 to 39	0.36	0.26–0.49
BPS	2018 to 2019	40 to 59	0.32	0.23–0.46
BPS	2018 to 2019	60 to 79	0.44	0.32–0.60

Figure 3: Levels in the Canadian population, by sex

Average levels of BPE, BPF and BPS were similar between sexes.

Text description

Table 3, Average levels BPE, BPF and BPS by sex

Chemical	Collection period	Sex	Geometric mean level (µg/L)	95% confidence interval (µg/L)
BPE	2014 to 2015	Females	0.030	0.027–0.033
BPE	2014 to 2015	Males	0.034	0.030–0.039
BPE	2016 to 2017	Females	0.025	0.021–0.029
BPE	2016 to 2017	Males	0.024	0.021–0.026
BPE	2018 to 2019	Females	0.021	0.019–0.024
BPE	2018 to 2019	Males	0.025	0.022–0.029
BPF	2014 to 2015	Females	0.17	0.13–0.21
BPF	2014 to 2015	Males	0.22	0.17–0.29
BPF	2016 to 2017	Females	0.14	0.11–0.18
BPF	2016 to 2017	Males	0.16	0.12–0.22
BPF	2018 to 2019	Females	0.11	0.084–0.15
BPF	2018 to 2019	Males	0.14	0.097–0.19
BPS	2014 to 2015	Females	0.36	0.30–0.44
BPS	2014 to 2015	Males	0.39	0.33–0.45
BPS	2016 to 2017	Females	0.35	0.31–0.41
BPS	2016 to 2017	Males	0.36	0.30–0.44
BPS	2018 to 2019	Females	0.36	0.29–0.46
BPS	2018 to 2019	Males	0.39	0.33–0.46

Figure 4: Levels in pregnant people in Canada

Average levels of BPE, BPF and BPS were lower in pregnant people in the MIREC study than in people of child-bearing age (females aged 18 to 49 years) in the CHMS.

Text description

Table 4, Average levels of BPE, BPF and BPS in pregnant people

Chemical	Collection period	Survey	Geometric mean level (µg/L)	95% confidence interval (µg/L)
BPE	2014 to 2015	CHMS	0.030	0.025–0.040
BPE	2008 to 2011	MIREC	0.021	0.020–0.023
BPF	2014 to 2015	CHMS	0.20	0.12–0.34
BPF	2008 to 2011	MIREC	0.040	0.030–0.050
BPS	2014 to 2015	CHMS	0.33	0.24–0.44
BPS	2008 to 2011	MIREC	0.090	0.080–0.10

Figure 5: Levels in Inuit living in Nunavik

The average level of BPS was higher among Inuit from the Q2017 survey in Nunavik than in people 16 years of age or older in the CHMS (2016 to 2017). The average levels of BPE were similar.

Text description

Table 5, Average levels of BPE, BPF and BPS of Inuit living in Nunavik

Chemical	Collection period	Survey	Arithmetic mean level (µg/L)	95% confidence interval (µg/L)
BPE	2016 to 2017	CHMS	0.052	0.019–0.085
BPE	2017	Q2017	0.045	0.040–0.051
BPS	2016 to 2017	CHMS	0.89	0.72–1.1
BPS	2017	Q2017	2.4	1.8–3.0

Related links

• Canadian biomonitoring dashboard
• Bisphenol A (BPA) structural analogues and functional alternatives
• Identification of risk assessment priorities (IRAP): results of the 2017-2018 review
• A descriptive analysis of first trimester urinary concentrations of 14 bisphenol analogues in the MIREC Canadian pregnancy cohort
• Non-persistent exposures from plasticizers or plastic constituents in remote Arctic communities: a case for further research

How to cite this webpage

Health Canada. 2024. Bisphenol analogues in people living in Canada. Ottawa, ON. Available: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/environmental-workplace-health/reports-publications/environmental-contaminants/human-biomonitoring-resources/bisphenols-analogues-in-people.html

For more information, contact: biomonitoring-biosurveillance@hc-sc.gc.ca