Bisphenol Analogues and Their Chlorinated Derivatives in Breast Milk in China: Occurrence and Exposure Assessment

Concentrations of bisphenol A (BPA) and its analogues (together with their chlorinated derivatives are referred to as BPs) were measured in 181 breastmilk samples collected from 9 provinces in China in 2014. Twelve BP types were found. The BP concentrations ranged from not detected to 5.912 mu g/L. BPA was the predominant BP, followed by bisphenol F (BPF) and bisphenol S (BPS). The mean BPA, BPF, and BPS levels were 0.444, 0.107, and 0.027 mu g/L, respectively. Other BPs were sporadically detected in breastmilk samples. There were no differences (p > 0.05) in BPA, BPF, BPS, or total BP levels in the urban and rural regions or the northern and southern regions. BPA accounted for approximately 70% of the BPs and BPF accounted for more than 20% of the BPs in breast milk samples. The high contribution of BPF indicated that BPA analogues, not only BPA, should receive attention. The upper-bound daily intakes of BPs for infants 0-6 months old were 0.044-1.291 mu g/kg bw/day. Despite the absence of tolerable daily intake data, attention should be paid not only on BPA but also BPF.

Automated summary

Based on breastmilk samples collected from 9 provinces in China in 2014, it was found that BPA was the predominant BP, followed by BPF and BPS. There were no differences in BPA, BPF, BPS, or total BP levels between urban and rural regions or northern and southern regions. The high contribution of BPF in breastmilk samples, accounting for over 20%, indicates the need for attention to BPA analogues.