Baby Safety / Compounds / BPB

Is BPB safe for babies and kids?

Context-dependent for kids

Infants are highly exposed to BPB 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 bpb?

Also known as: Bisphenol B, 2,2-Bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)butane, 4,4'-(1-Methylpropylidene)bisphenol, p,p'-sec-Butylidenediphenol.

CAS number
77-40-7
Molecular formula
C16H18O2
Molecular weight
242.31 g/mol
SMILES
CCC(C)(C1=CC=C(C=C1)O)C2=CC=C(C=C2)O
PubChem CID
66166

Risk for babies

Context-dependent

Infants are highly exposed to BPB 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

Context-dependent

Regulatory consensus

1 regulatory bodyhas classified BPB.

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
EDC Assessment—Confirmed endocrine disruptor

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 bpb

  • Consumer Products — personal care, industrial, food contact

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to BPB:

  • Tritan; Glass; Stainless steel
    Trade-offs: Alternative plasticizer; compatibility with polymer matrix required; migration rate and toxicological profile of alternative should be assessed; mechanical properties (flexibility, tensile strength) may change.
    Relative cost: 1.5-3× (longer lifespan)

Frequently asked questions

Is bpb safe for kids?

Infants are highly exposed to BPB 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 bpb?

BPB appears in: personal care (Consumer products); industrial (Consumer products).

What should I do if my child is exposed to bpb?

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 BPB in the baby app

Look up products containing bpb, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.

Open in baby View raw API data

Sources (1)
  1. PubChem (2026) — database

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 →