Urinary bisphenol levels in plastic industry workers

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a known endocrine disruptor compound that is widely applied as a monomer base in polycarbonate plastics and as a binding agent in several epoxy resins. Plastic industry workers have usually heavier and prolonged exposures to BPA. Hence, the present work aims to assess the levels of BPA and their analogs (S, F, B, AF, Z, E, and AP) in 170 urine samples from a cross-sectional study of workers from a plastic industry located in north Constantine (Algeria). This work was complemented with a questionnaire about sexual functions and evaluation of sexual hormone levels. The results showed a stable presence of BPA (average of 3.24 mu g/L), accounting for more than 90% of the total BPs. Of the remaining BP analogs, only trace amounts of BPB were detected in three samples (average of 2.73 mu g/L). Significant associations with BPA urinary levels were noted with age (p = 0.006), occupational level of exposure (p = 0.023), and years of experience (p = 0.001).

Automated summary

BPA and its analogs were found in stable levels in the urine of workers in the plastic industry, with BPA being the main component; the study found significant associations between BPA urinary levels and age, occupational exposure levels, and years of work experience.