Study Links BPA Clearance to Autism and ADHD in Children

There has been a notable increase in diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) over recent decades. Ongoing research is exploring various factors contributing to these conditions.

A 2023 study has highlighted a difference in how children with autism or ADHD process bisphenol A (BPA), a common plastic compound, compared to their neurotypical peers.

BPA is prevalent in many plastics and is often found in food containers. Prior studies have linked it to hormonal disruptions that can lead to issues like breast cancer and infertility.

Researchers from Rowan University and Rutgers University focused on three groups of children: 66 with autism, 46 with ADHD, and 37 neurotypical kids. They specifically examined glucuronidation, a chemical process that helps the body eliminate toxins through urine.

The findings revealed that kids with ASD and ADHD were less efficient at clearing BPA and a similar compound called diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), which could result in prolonged exposure to these harmful substances.

“Detoxification of these two plasticizers is compromised in children with ASD and ADHD,” the researchers noted. “As a result, their tissues are more exposed to these chemicals.”

The difference in BPA clearance was statistically significant: kids with ASD showed an 11 percent reduction in efficiency, while those with ADHD saw a 17 percent decrease compared to the control group.

The research team speculates that specific gene mutations could impair the body’s ability to eliminate BPA, allowing it to linger and potentially harm neural development.

ASD and ADHD are generally thought to stem from both genetic and environmental factors, and this study sheds light on the connection between the two. Still, it’s worth noting that not every child with a neurodevelopmental disorder struggled to eliminate BPA, suggesting other elements may be involved.

Research is ongoing to clarify how ASD and ADHD emerge—whether it’s during fetal development or later—and the available data do not conclusively establish if BPA exposure is a direct cause of these conditions.

“There’s substantial epidemiological evidence linking neurodevelopmental disorders to environmental pollutants like plasticizers,” the researchers stated.

“It’s unclear how significant a role plasticizers play in the overall incidence of these disorders, but the fact that they were easily detected in a moderately sized metabolic study suggests they could account for a considerable portion of the problem.”

The research results are published in PLOS ONE.

A version of this article appeared first in October 2023.