Assessing personal and dietary exposure of children and adults to bisphenol A

Bisphenol A (BPA) is found in a wide array of consumer products made from epoxy resins and polycarbonate plastics. Migration of BPA occurs when foods and beverages are in contact with the container materials. The endocrine disrupting properties of BPA have been implicated in adverse health effects such as heart disease, diabetes, liver problems, and obesity. For this study, data was obtained from the 2005-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to compare the urinary excretion of BPA in adults and children. Possible contributors to BPA exposure, including food and beverage consumption, nutritional awareness, and smoking, and personal characteristics were examined. The population's mean BPA level of 2.10 ng/ml was well below the US Environmental Protection Agency's established tolerable daily intake. However, the median urinary BPA levels were significantly higher in younger children, males, low-income individuals, obese individuals, and Non-Hispanic Blacks. Among those under 30 years old, consumption of fruit drinks, soft drinks and being heavy smokers were significantly associated with excretion of BPA. Nutritional awareness was inversely related while soft drink consumption was associated with BPA for those over age 30. Bottled water consumption was inversely associated with BPA levels and canned tuna was not found to be associated with BPA, for all ages. Although the levels are below the tolerable daily intake, the endocrine disrupting properties of BPA provide reason for concern. Sources of exposure especially from nonfood items should be better identified to establish a clearer understanding of low dose effects.