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These can be dangerous in terms of exposing humans to carcinogenic substances, especially when plastic containers become scratched or cracked, allowing chemicals to be leached out. One example is bisphenol A (BPA), a synthetic estrogen that has been used in many plastics and resins since the 1960s. BPA resins can be used inside products like metal food cans as sealants, while polycarbonate BPA plastics can include water bottles and food storage containers. BPA can even be found in thermal paper receipts, where it is used to stabilize the ink.

The safety of BPA has been controversial, as studies have found it is linked to obesity, diabetes, problems with fertility and reproductive organs, susceptibility to various cancers, and cognitive/behavioral deficits like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

While many plastic manufacturers have started labeling their products “BPA‐free,” the compound is still very commonly used in a broad array of consumer products.