Are BPA substitutes linked with lower IQ scores in kids?
In one 2025 cohort, higher BPF exposure at age 4 was linked with lower IQ scores at age 6 in girls.
What's actually in it
BPA-free does not always mean bisphenol-free. Some products use related chemicals, including BPF, BPS, and other bisphenol analogs.
Kids can meet bisphenols through some food packaging, plastic cups, can linings, and thermal paper receipts.
What the research says
A 2025 study in Environmental Research followed 465 mother-child pairs. Researchers measured bisphenol analogs in urine from 4-year-old children, then tested IQ at age 6.
In girls, higher BPF exposure was linked with lower full-scale IQ and lower perceptual reasoning scores at age 6. The study did not prove BPF caused the change, and the authors said more research is needed.
The practical move is simple: use glass or stainless steel for kids' drinks and leftovers, avoid heating food in plastic, and skip receipts when you do not need them.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Bisphenol analogs exposure in 4-year-old children and their intelligence quotient at 6 years: A prospective cohort study | Environ Res | 2025 |