Bisphenol

Endocrine-Disrupting Compound: Bisphenol A

Another EDC that is currently being produced in very large quantities is bisphenol A (2,2-bis[4-hydroxyphenyl]propane). In just one year, 2003, an annual excess of six billion pounds was produced and continued growth is expected to double in the upcoming years (Vom Saal et al, 2006; Yang et al, 2006). Bisphenol A is currently being used in numerous different products; in drinking water containers, baby bottles, dental sealing, food can coatings to prevent corrosion, plastic manufacture and as an antioxidant in brake fluid (Washam, 2006). Due to its diversity in applications, people are continuously being exposed to harmful concentrations of bisphenol A in the environment.

Concentrations of bisphenol A have been detected in industrial wastewaters, as well as in fresh water. Moreover, it has been observed that bisphenol A can dissolve easily from the products it composes or coats (Assmuth et al, 2001). As a result, it has the ability to easily transfer itself into organisms. Fortunately, the accumulation of bisphenol A is assumed to be small in wildlife, in part to its short half-life. Biological monitoring of bisphenol A in urine was performed in Korea and the groups results revealed that the median levels of urinary bisphenol A have decreased over the years; 9.54 g/L in adults, 2000 (Chang et al, 2003); and 4.20 g/L in adults, 2001 (Yang et al., 2003). However, the authors of the study state that the reason for this decrease may be due to improved developmental analysis techniques rather than the reduction of bisphenol use. This may be true, as the production of bisphenol A has not decreased. (Chemical Market Research Inc, 2004; Yang et al, 2006).

References:

Yang M, Park MS, and Lee HS. 2006. Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals: Human Exposure and Health Risks. J. Environmental Science and Health Part C. 24: 183-224.

Vom Saal FS., and Welshons WV. 2006. Large effects from small exposures. The importance of positive controls in low-dose research on bisphenol A. Environmental Research. 100:50-76.

Washam C. 2006. Exploring the Roots of Diabetes: Bisphenol A May Promote Insulin Resistance. Environmental Health Perspectives. 114(1):A48-A49

Assmuth T., and Louekari K. 2001. Research for management of environmental risks from endocrine disrupters. The Finnish Environment 448. Helsinki: Finnish Environment Institute.

Chang S., Jang J., Kawamoto T., Kim S., Lee S., and Yang M. 2003. Biological monitoring of bisphenol A in a Korean population. Arch Environ Contam Toxicol. 44:546-551.

Chemical Market Research Inc (CMRI). 2004. Phenol led by Kumho and LG. http://www.chemlocus.com/news/daily_read.htm?menu=D1&Sequence=7131&cpage=3&sub= - Accessed February 28, 2007.