Choosing the Problem

Our project began with something close to home. One of our teammates came across an article describing how certain cosmetics — often used by teenagers and young women — were found to contain BPA (Natural Effiscience). The article highlighted unusual hormone-related symptoms that could be linked to these products. Concerned, our teammate wondered if the items she used every day might also carry this hidden risk.
This personal question became the spark for our project. After several team discussions, we realized that while BPA has been restricted or banned in some contexts, it is far from gone. It can still be found in a wide range of consumer products, from food packaging to thermal paper, and sometimes even in items marketed as “safe.”
We recognized that this was not just about one person’s cosmetics — it was about raising awareness for everyone. What began as an individual concern has grown into a broader mission: to create an accessible way for people to test for BPA in their daily lives, and to remind society that “banned” does not always mean “disappeared.”

Launching to the Public

From our Human Practices survey, we learned that many students and parents had heard of BPA but were unsure where it’s found, how exposure happens, or what “BPA-free” actually means. This clear knowledge gap shaped our next steps: we focused on raising awareness across our school community. By connecting to our biology club, we launched a BPA awareness campaign with presentations in club meets, infographics, posts, and stories on social media!.

Educational Outreach: Spreading Awareness of BPA and Endocrine Health

Beyond our survey, our team also designed an educational presentation to raise public awareness about BPA’s impact on human health. Using a series of slides developed for our school’s Biology Club and in AP biology class, we introduced audiences to what BPA is, how it interferes with the endocrine system, and why it remains a public health concern despite partial bans. The presentation included real-world case studies showing BPA’s links to hormone imbalance, fertility issues, and developmental risks, helping students visualize the biological mechanisms behind endocrine disruption.
Through this interactive session, we aimed to translate complex biochemical concepts into accessible knowledge for non-specialists. Participants learned how BPA can mimic estrogen, affect hormone signaling, and accumulate through everyday products such as plastics, receipts, and food containers. This educational initiative not only deepened our community’s understanding of chemical exposure but also reflected iGEM’s core value of science communication—bridging research with public engagement.
By sharing these materials in our school and online, we helped spark meaningful discussion about endocrine disruptors and consumer safety, reinforcing the motivation behind our project: to empower individuals with both knowledge and tools to detect and minimize BPA exposure in daily life.