Calafat, A. M., Ye, X., Wong, L. Y., Reidy, J. A., & Needham, L. L. (2008). Exposure of the U.S. population to bisphenol A and 4-tertiary-octylphenol: 2003-2004. Environmental health perspectives. https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.10753
Calafat AM, Ye X, Wong LY, Reidy JA, Needham LL. Exposure of the U.S. population to bisphenol A and 4-tertiary-octylphenol: 2003-2004. Environmental health perspectives. 2008. doi:10.1289/ehp.10753
Calafat, A. M., et al. "Exposure of the U.S. population to bisphenol A and 4-tertiary-octylphenol: 2003-2004." Environmental health perspectives, 2008.
BPA was found in 92.6% of U.S. people aged 6 and older, 2003-2004
BPA turned up in the urine of 92.6% of people tested in a 2003-2004 national U.S. survey of 2,517 participants aged 6 and older. The industrial chemical tOP appeared in 57.4% of people. Children had the highest BPA levels, followed by adolescents and then adults.
Key Findings
Urine from 2,517 participants aged 6 and older, drawn from the U.S. national health survey for 2003–2004, contained BPA in 92.6% and tOP in 57.4% of people.
Mexican Americans had significantly lower adjusted BPA concentrations than non-Hispanic whites (p = 0.007) or non-Hispanic blacks (p = 0.006). The non-Hispanic groups did not differ significantly (p = 0.21).
Adjusted BPA concentrations were statistically higher in females than males (p = 0.043). Children ranked above adolescents (p < 0.001), and adolescents ranked above adults (p = 0.003).
Adjusted BPA concentrations were lowest among participants above $45,000 in annual household income and higher in the low income category (p = 0.004).
Geometric mean BPA was significantly higher in morning than afternoon samples (p = 0.0134) and in evening than afternoon samples (p = 0.0317) for all ages, but not in children and adolescents.
Interpretation
The study is a cross-sectional survey. Each participant gave one spot urine sample, and the lab measured total BPA, both free and conjugated forms. The sample is nationally representative of the civilian, noninstitutionalized U.S. population aged 6 and older. A regression model adjusted the group comparisons for sex, age group, household income, race/ethnicity, and urine creatinine. The authors offer the results as a baseline for future trends. They note that an earlier survey, NHANES III, is not directly comparable for establishing trends over time.
RRM Context
The authors cite studies in which low-dose BPA exposure in experimental animals reportedly decreased sperm production and altered estrous cycles. They call the evidence on low doses debated. Restorative reproductive medicine seeks root causes in both partners. Data like these describe the chemicals that men and women live with.
Our editorial summary of this paper, not the article's abstract.
Abstract
Background
Bisphenol A (BPA) and 4-tertiary-octylphenol (tOP) are industrial chemicals used in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins (BPA) and nonionic surfactants (tOP). These products are in widespread use in the United States.
Objectives
We aimed to assess exposure to BPA and tOP in the U.S. general population.
Methods
We measured the total (free plus conjugated) urinary concentrations of BPA and tOP in 2,517 participants > or = 6 years of age in the 2003-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey using automated solid-phase extraction coupled to isotope dilution-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.
Results
BPA and tOP were detected in 92.6% and 57.4% of the persons, respectively. Least square geometric mean (LSGM) concentrations of BPA were significantly lower in Mexican Americans than in non-Hispanic blacks (p = 0.006) and non-Hispanic whites (p = 0.007); LSGM concentrations for non-Hispanic blacks and non-Hispanic whites were not statistically different (p = 0.21). Females had statistically higher BPA LSGM concentrations than males (p = 0.043). Children had higher concentrations than adolescents (p < 0.001), who in turn had higher concentrations than adults (p = 0.003). LSGM concentrations were lowest for participants in the high household income category (> $45,000/year).
Conclusions
Urine concentrations of total BPA differed by race/ethnicity, age, sex, and household income. These first U.S. population representative concentration data for urinary BPA and tOP should help guide public health research priorities, including studies of exposure pathways, potential health effects, and risk assessment.
