A recent study, undertaken specifically to understand the effects of Bisphenol A on humans, has revealed that factory workers in China who were exposed to large amount of BPA were more at risk of developing sexual problems. The study also asserted that workers in Chinese factories were exposed to the chemical nearly 50 times more than those in American factories.

The study, funded by the U. S. National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, was conducted over a period of 5 years and analyzed 634 workers in factories across China. Two groups, one working in factories where there is constant exposure to BPA and another from BPA free factories, were compared and it was concluded that workers exposed to BPA regularly, for longer periods of time were 4 times more likely to develop erectile dysfunction and 7 times more at risk of developing erectile difficulty.

Dr. De-Kun Li, a Reproductive and Perinatal Epidemiologist at a leading California institute and co-author of the study, has been quick to say that people and factory workers should not be alarmed. It is not exposure to BPA, but long-term and heavy exposure which is linked to the issues mentioned in the study. He is of the opinion that exposure to the chemical should be limited.

BPA, which is used in various consumer products like plastic bottles and food and beverage cans made of metal, has been established as an estrogen substitute.