All of us now carry in our bodily tissues a virtual stew of heavy metals and 
hundreds of synthetic chemicals: persistent ones, which can have a "half-life" 
in the body of several years; and nonpersistent compounds, which may pass 
through the body in a matter of hours. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a nonpersistent 
compound that can alter the reproductive system of laboratory animals even at 
extremely low exposure levels. This is relevant because BPA is chronically 
present in our environment with the potential for constant exposure, making it 
functionally equivalent to a persistent compound. In this review the authors 
emphasize particular outcomes that occur in response to the relevant dose of BPA 
exposure that causes developmental effects on reproductive systems, brain and 
metabolic processes, and the male germ line. At a specific dose level, BPA 
exposure also shows oxidative toxicity and carcinogenic effects.