BPA, a chemical in some plastics, might change how our genes work—without changing the genes themselves—and could cause fertility problems that last for years and even affect future generations.

What we've found so far is limited but points to a possible link between BPA exposure and long-term reproductive health effects through epigenetic changes. Based on the evidence we’ve reviewed, there is one assertion suggesting that BPA, a chemical found in some plastics, might alter how genes function without changing the DNA sequence itself—what scientists call epigenetic changes [1]. These shifts in gene activity could potentially lead to fertility issues that persist over time and might even be passed down to future generations [1]. Our current analysis shows that the existing evidence leans toward the idea that BPA could influence reproductive health across generations through epigenetic mechanisms. However, we only have one supporting assertion and no studies or claims that refute it, meaning the data is extremely limited at this stage. We cannot determine how strong this link might be, under what conditions it occurs, or how relevant it is to human health in everyday settings. We don’t yet have enough evidence to say whether this effect happens consistently, how much BPA exposure might be involved, or whether these changes are reversible. Since we’re only working with a single assertion, our understanding is incomplete and could shift as more research becomes available. The takeaway: While there’s early indication that BPA might affect fertility across generations by changing how genes are expressed, we don’t yet know how real or significant this risk is for people. Until we have more data, it’s hard to say what this means for daily choices—though some may choose to limit plastic use as a precaution.