Adhesives Mag logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Adhesives Mag logo
  • NEW PRODUCTS
  • NEWS
    • Adhesives & Sealants Headlines
    • Mergers/Acquisitions
    • Market Trends
    • TOP 20
  • TOPICS
    • Finished Adhesives and Sealants
    • Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives (PSAs)
    • Coatings
    • Raw Materials and Chemicals
    • Materials Handling/Processing
    • Meter/Mix/Dispense
    • Curing
    • Testing/Quality Control
    • Packaging of Adhesives & Sealants
    • Converting/Packaging
    • Composites
    • Sustainability
  • EVENTS
    • ASI Academy
    • Events Calendar
  • COLUMNS
    • European Perspectives
    • Strategic Solutions
    • Supply Chain Strategies
    • Tape Talk
  • MULTIMEDIA
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Webinars
    • eBooks
  • EXPLORE
    • Adhesives in Action
    • Blog
    • ASI Store
    • Industry Links
    • Market Research
    • Classifieds
  • DIRECTORIES
    • Buyers' Guide
    • Global Adhesives & Sealants Directory
    • Raw Materials, Chemicals, Polymers and Additives Handbook
    • Equipment Handbook
    • Distributor Directory
  • EMAGAZINE
    • EMAGAZINE
    • ARCHIVE ISSUES
    • ADVERTISE
      • Custom Content & Marketing Services
    • CONTACT
  • SIGN UP!
CoatingsManufacturers

Ask Dr. Dave: September 2013

Is it true that epoxy adhesives contain the same BPA that has been shown to be harmful when used to make drinking bottles?

By Dave Dunn Ph.D.
September 5, 2013

Question: Is it true that epoxy adhesives contain the same BPA that has been shown to be harmful when used to make drinking bottles?

Answer: Bisphenol A (BPA) is indeed a chemical building block in the manufacture of epoxy resins as well as polycarbonate bottles. Most of the controversy on BPA revolved around the detection of trace quantities of BPA—and its potentially harmful effects—in microwaved polycarbonate baby bottles.

First of all, there is no evidence that cured epoxy resins can liberate BPA when exposed to water. In fact, all these products for potable water applications must be certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 61, which includes analysis for BPA in addition to many other chemicals. Recent studies in several European countries have shown that even if the chemical is present, it is harmless. NSF International has found that no correlation exists between studies that used large doses of BPA injected into animals and orally ingested BPA in humans.

 A recent study appears to have answered the key question in one of the biggest scientific controversies of the past decade. The study, which combined the expertise of Battelle researchers working at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (one of the nation’s top research institutions), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, was the first to track the BPA in human blood and urine in volunteers who ate a diet rich in bisphenol A (from lots of canned food) over a 24-hour period. The important finding was for the adult human population exposed to even very high dietary levels, blood concentrations of the bioactive form of BPA throughout the day are below our ability to detect them, and orders of magnitude lower than those causing effects in rodents exposed to BPA. Forbes magazine featured an article in its July 2011 issue describing this research. 


Any views or opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not represent those of ASI, its staff, Editorial Advisory Board or BNP Media. 

KEYWORDS: epoxies

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Dave dunn

Ask Dr. Dave is written by Dave Dunn, Ph.D., of F.L.D. Enterprises, a technical consultancy and full-service industrial market-research firm specializing in the adhesives, sealants, specialty rubbers and plastics fields. Dave is a former vice president and director of Loctite Corp. and has spent many years in troubleshooting adhesive and sealant problems. Questions for publication should be directed to him at 242 Trails End, Aurora OH 44202; phone (440) 477-5164; fax (330) 247-1690; or email DrDave242@windstream.net .

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • 2026 ASI Top 20: Leading Global Adhesives and Sealants Manufacturers

    2026 ASI Top 20: Leading Global Adhesives and Sealants Manufacturers

    Every year, we study the leading worldwide manufacturers...
    Finished Adhesives and Sealants
    By: Karen Parker
  • PSA Market

    Trends and Opportunities in Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives: Sustainability, Innovation, and Market Growth

    The pressure-sensitive adhesives market is growing...
    Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives (PSAs)
    By: Chirag Tripathi and Parag Shah
  • science test tubes

    2026 Adhesives and Sealants Raw Materials Roundup

    After more than two years of contraction, the...
    Sustainability
    By: Karen Parker
Manage My Account
  • eMagazine Issues
  • Newsletters
  • Online Registration
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Adhesives and Sealants Industry audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Adhesives and Sealants Industry or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Assembly automation for medical device manufacturing
    Sponsored byNordson EFD

    Three Proven Principles Powering Quality Assembly

Popular Stories

Image of a computer keyboard with the letters N E W S highlighted

H.B. Fuller Announces Offer to Buy Advanced Medical Solutions Group

news on internet screen

Activist Investor Responds to H.B. Fuller Acquisition Announcement

image of handshake

Synthomer to Divest Acrylate Monomers Business

ASI 2026 Top 20 Adhesives & Sealants List

Events

September 15, 2026

Coatings Trends & Technologies Summit

This annual Midwest coatings conference combines all of the high-quality technical presentations, exhibits and networking opportunities from the Coatings Trends and Technologies and Powder Coating Summit conferences into one new event. The event caters to both liquid and powder coatings formulators and manufacturers.

September 16, 2026

World Adhesive & Sealant Conference (WAC) 2026

As the industry’s premier international event, WAC 2026 offers a unique opportunity for professionals from every continent to connect, collaborate, and shape the future of the sector.
View All Submit An Event

Products

Structural Adhesives: Properties, Characterization and Applications

Structural Adhesives: Properties, Characterization and Applications

See More Products

Related Articles

  • Ask Dr. Dave: September 2012

    See More
  • Ask Dr. Dave - September 2002

    See More
  • Ask Dr. Dave: February 2013

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • hetrophase.jpg

    Heterophase Polymerization: Basic Concepts and Principles

See More Products

Related Directories

  • Admix Inc.

    Admix, Inc. is an employee-owned mixing technology company that offers a wide range of industrial mixing equipment ideal for paints, coatings, and adhesives. We have high-shear mixers, low-shear mixers, emulsifiers, dispersers, and powder induction systems. Ask us about our equipment testing and equipment trials!
×

Keep the info flowing with our newsletters!

Get the latest industry updates tailored your way.

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Manufacturing Division
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • Newsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey & Sample
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Youtube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2026. All Rights Reserved BNP Media, Inc. and BNP Media II, LLC.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing