Baby Safety / Compounds / Bisphenol Z (BPZ)

Is Bisphenol Z (BPZ) safe for babies and kids?

Moderate risk for kids

Infants are highly exposed to Bisphenol Z (BPZ) 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 z (bpz)?

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

Also known as: 4-[1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)cyclohexyl]phenol, 1,1-Bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)cyclohexane, Bisphenol Z, 4,4'-Cyclohexylidenebisphenol.

IUPAC name
4-[1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)cyclohexyl]phenol
CAS number
843-55-0
Molecular formula
C18H20O2
Molecular weight
268.3 g/mol
SMILES
C1CCC(CC1)(C2=CC=C(C=C2)O)C3=CC=C(C=C3)O
PubChem CID
232446

Risk for babies

Moderate risk

Infants are highly exposed to Bisphenol Z (BPZ) 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 Z (BPZ) 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 Z (BPZ).

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
ECHA / EFSA (Bisphenol Z — 1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)cyclohexane — not individually classified for carcinogenicity; cyclohexane-bridged bisphenol analog; estrogenic activity documented in ERα competitive binding assays and in vivo zebrafish models; detected in WWTPs, surface waters, and human urine biomonitoring samples; no carcinogenicity classification by IARC, EFSA, NTP, or US EPA; considered BPA structural alternative in some polycarbonate and epoxy formulations)2022no carcinogenicity classification; bisphenol cyclohexane analog with documented estrogenic activity in vitro and in vivo (zebrafish); detected in environmental and human biomonitoring matrices; 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 z (bpz)

  • 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 Z (BPZ):

  • 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 z (bpz) safe for kids?

Infants are highly exposed to Bisphenol Z (BPZ) 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 z (bpz)?

Bisphenol Z (BPZ) 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 z (bpz)?

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 Z (BPZ) in the baby app

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

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Sources (1)
  1. ECHA EFSA Bisphenol Z CAS 843-55-0 Cyclohexane-Bridged Analog; Zebrafish In Vivo Estrogenic Activity; WWTP Surface Water Detection ng/L; Human Urine Biomonitoring; BPA Alternative Polycarbonate; No IARC EFSA NTP EPA Carcinogenicity Classification (2022) — 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 →