Human biomonitoring of bisphenol A exposure in an Austrian population

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an industrial chemical widely used as a monomer in polycarbonate, epoxy resin and thermal paper production, and as a stabiliser in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) production. Thus, BPA is present in a wide range of common consumer products. Due to contact with BPA-containing products, humans are regularly exposed via different routes. BPA is an endocrine active substance and can potentially lead to different adverse health outcomes. In the present study, total BPA levels were analysed by on-line SPE-HPLC-MS/MS in spontaneous urine samples in order to investigate the exposure to an Austrian population aged 6-15 and 18-81 years. In the total study population (n=594), total BPA were found in 15.7% of all samples, with concentrations up to 17 μg/l (median: n.d., 95th percentile: 3.7 μg/l). These results show generally low BPA levels among the investigated study population. However, children and adolescents exhibited higher exposure levels. Daily BPA intakes were estimated and compared to acceptable exposure levels, whereat no exceedances could be identified. Although BPA exposure was shown to be low in the Austrian population, the wide distribution and the ongoing discussion related to possible negative health effects even at low doses indicate need for further monitoring and investigations