In this study, human placenta cells from five new mothers were cultured in a laboratory, and BPA was added in a variety of doses found in the blood of pregnant women and fetuses. The doses ranged from .002 to 200 micrograms per milliliter. The placenta cells were exposed to the BPA at these levels for 24 hours and then examined for damage.

Significant damage was found. Three types of damage were measured; all were significantly higher than the control. But one type of damage measured much higher at the lower dose of BPA, a particularly troubling finding.

On the USA Today BPA page, Frederick Vom Saal, a professor at the University of Missouri-Columbia, speaks on an audio recording. While the BPA concentrations used are low, he says, “this is a phenomenally potent chemical.” BPA has been linked with cancer and with late puberty in boys, early puberty in girls. The FDA has maintained that it thinks it is safe, but is currently reviewing its position, in the face of growing outcry.

The Environmental Working Group, which advocates for clean water and other topics, announced it is troubled by the study’s results because it indicates BPA affects not only children, but adults.