Bisphenol A

High school (ages 12+)
Science & Technology

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/bisphenol-a

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the chemical structure?A molecule composed of two phenol rings linked by a carbon atom
2. What is the global production estimate (2022)?Approximately 10 million tonnes
3. What is Bisphenol A and why is it called a plastic helper?Bisphenol A is a chemical that helps make strong, clear plastics like polycarbonate. It is called a plastic helper because it is a key ingredient that gives these plastics their strength and clarity.
4. Where is Bisphenol A most commonly used in everyday items?Most of it (about 65-70%) is used to make polycarbonate plastics, which are used in things like eyeglass lenses and the casings of electronics. About 25-30% is used to make epoxy resins that coat food cans and make adhesives.

Co-monomer: A monomer that is polymerized with one or more different types of monomers.
Xenoestrogen: A synthetic chemical compound that mimics the effects of estrogen in the body.
Endocrine Disruptor: A chemical that can interfere with the body's endocrine system, potentially causing adverse health effects.
Thermoplastic Polymer: A type of plastic that becomes pliable or moldable above a specific temperature and solidifies upon cooling.