Baby Safety / Compounds / Bisphenol E (BPE)

Is Bisphenol E (BPE) safe for babies and kids?

Moderate risk for kids

Infants are highly exposed to Bisphenol E (BPE) through mouthing of plastic toys, teethers, bottles, and food packaging leachates. Endocrine disruption risk is amplified during critical windows of reproductive and neurological development.

What is bisphenol e (bpe)?

The IUPAC name is 4-[1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl]phenol.

Also known as: 4-[1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl]phenol, Bisphenol E, 1,1-Bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethane, 9U3NFM6ULF.

IUPAC name
4-[1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl]phenol
CAS number
2081-08-5
Molecular formula
C14H14O2
Molecular weight
214.26 g/mol
SMILES
CC(C1=CC=C(C=C1)O)C2=CC=C(C=C2)O
PubChem CID
608116

Risk for babies

Moderate risk

Infants are highly exposed to Bisphenol E (BPE) through mouthing of plastic toys, teethers, bottles, and food packaging leachates. Endocrine disruption risk is amplified during critical windows of reproductive and neurological development.

Neonates and infants up to 12 months have incomplete blood-brain barrier development, immature Phase I/II metabolic enzymes (particularly CYP3A4, UGT1A1), and higher gastrointestinal permeability. Equivalent doses produce higher internal concentrations and longer residence times.

What to do: Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.

Risk for pregnant and nursing people

Elevated risk

Prenatal exposure to Bisphenol E (BPE) is associated with endocrine disruption affecting fetal reproductive development. Phthalates and alternative plasticizers cross the placenta and are detectable in amniotic fluid.

Suspected reproductive toxicant (GHS H361) or suspected endocrine disruptor. Precautionary approach warranted. Animal studies or limited human data suggest developmental toxicity potential.

What to do: Minimize exposure during pregnancy and lactation. Consult healthcare provider regarding specific risks. Consider alternative products with lower hazard profiles.

Regulatory consensus

1 regulatory bodyhas classified Bisphenol E (BPE).

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
EFSA / ECHA (BPE not individually evaluated for carcinogenicity; bisphenol structural analog; estrogenic activity documented — lower ERα binding potency than BPA in most in vitro assays; no carcinogenicity classification by IARC, EFSA, NTP, or US EPA as individual compound; increasing industrial interest as BPA alternative in epoxy resins; EU food contact materials regulations restrict BPA specifically but do not currently address BPE individually)2023no carcinogenicity classification; bisphenol analog with documented estrogenic activity; emerging BPA replacement in some epoxy resin applications; lower ERα potency than BPA; not classified by IARC, EFSA, NTP, or US EPA for carcinogenicity

Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.

Where kids encounter bisphenol e (bpe)

  • Consumer Products — Plastic bottles and containers, Food packaging, Plastic toys and household items
  • Drinking Water — Leaching from plastic pipes, Migration from bottled water containers
  • Indoor Environments — Off-gassing from plastic furniture, Degradation of plastic products

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Bisphenol E (BPE):

  • NSF-certified activated carbon filtration
    Trade-offs: Does not remove all contaminants. Requires filter replacement.
    Relative cost: 2-5× conventional

Frequently asked questions

Is bisphenol e (bpe) safe for kids?

Infants are highly exposed to Bisphenol E (BPE) through mouthing of plastic toys, teethers, bottles, and food packaging leachates. Endocrine disruption risk is amplified during critical windows of reproductive and neurological development.

What products contain bisphenol e (bpe)?

Bisphenol E (BPE) appears in: Plastic bottles and containers (Consumer products); Food packaging (Consumer products); Leaching from plastic pipes (Drinking water); Migration from bottled water containers (Drinking water); Off-gassing from plastic furniture (Indoor environments).

What should I do if my child is exposed to bisphenol e (bpe)?

Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.

See Bisphenol E (BPE) in the baby app

Look up products containing bisphenol e (bpe), compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.

Open in baby View raw API data

Sources (1)
  1. EFSA BPA 2023 TDI 0.2 ng/kg/day; BPE Structural Analog Lower ERα RBA Than BPA; Epoxy Resin BPA Substitute; No IARC EFSA NTP EPA Carcinogenicity Classification; Regrettable Substitution Concern; WWTP ng/L Detection (2023) — regulatory

Reference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific data; not a substitute for veterinary, medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Why we built ALETHEIA →