The Facts Behind The Policarbonate Issues Cause Infertility, This Is What Experts Say

Examination of the quality of gallons of polycarbonates for drinking water. (ANTARA PHOTO/Teresia May)

JAKARTA - Recently, information has been circulating that the use of gallon water made from polycarbonates can cause infertility. This news has caused unrest in the community, especially regarding the content of Bisphenol A (BPA) contained in the packaged material.

However, experts ensure that the issue is baseless and has no solid scientific evidence. The Indonesian Obstetrics and Gynecology Association (POGI) confirmed that there is no link between water consumption from gallons of polycarbonates and fertility disorders or other health problems.

"Until now, there has been no report or medical evidence that shows that infertility is caused by the consumption of water from gallons of packaging. For 15 years I have practiced, I have never handled cases of patients who experience infertility due to drinking from gallons of polycarbonates," said dr. Abraham Dian Winarto, Sp.OG, in an official statement as quoted by ANTARA.

dr. Abraham emphasized that the public does not need to worry because the bottled water in gallons of polycarbonates has gone through a strict safety test by the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) before it circulated on the market.

In line with this, the reproductive health expert dr. Mohammad Caesario also denied claims that water in a gallon of polycarbonate could cause infertility.

"The information is a hoax and a form of public deception. There is no scientific evidence that connects the water consumption of gallons of polycarbonates with reproductive disorders. What is even more dangerous is if the body lacks fluids due to lack of drinking," he said.

Furthermore, dr. Caesario explained that BPOM has set a BPA exposure threshold, which is 0.01 bpj or 10 micrograms per kilogram weighing per day, as a safety standard.

In addition, BPA is found not only in gallons of polycarbonates, but also in various daily objects, such as shopping receipts, automotive devices, bottle caps, CDs, electronic equipment, canned food packaging, to medical equipment.

"International research also shows that the use of polycarbonate packaging, including gallon refills, does not increase BPA migration to a level that is dangerous for human health. This means that gallons of polycarbonates remain safe to use as drinking water containers," he concluded.