Bisphenol A – Application, sources of exposure and potential risks in infants, children and pregnant women

Abstract

Bisphenol A (BPA) is used in the chemical industry as a monomer in the production of plastics. It belongs to a group of compounds that disturb some of the functions of human body, the endocrine system in particular. Extensive use of BPA in manufacturing products that come in contact with food increases the risk of exposure to this compound, mainly through the digestive tract. Literature data indicate that exposure to bisphenol A even at low doses may result in adverse health effects. The greatest exposure to BPA is estimated among infants, children and pregnant women. The aim of this review is to show potential sources of exposure to bisphenol A and the adverse health effects caused by exposure to this compound in the group of particular risk.

Gestational and lactational exposure to low-dose bisphenol A increases Th17 cells in mice offspring

“…Studies have shown that the developing immune system is highly sensitive to BPA exposure. In humans, prenatal and postnatal environmental BPA exposure is associated with various autoimmune diseases and inflammation during childhood and adulthood, including allergy, asthma and obesity (Spanier et al, 2012;Trasande et al, 2012;Mikołajewska et al, 2015). In animals, early-life exposure to BPA may produce considerable adverse effects to the immune system, such as cytokine secretion changes, immune-associated gene expression, T helper (Th)1/Th2 cell shifts, decrease in regulatory T cell (Treg) number, immune response abnormality, and allergic inflammation in offspring mice during the life course (Yoshino et al, 2004;Yan et al, 2008;Midoro-Horiuti et al, 2010;Bauer et al, 2012).…”

Urine Levels of Phthalate Metabolites and Bisphenol A in Relation to Main Metabolic Syndrome Components: Dyslipidemia, Hypertension and Type 2 Diabetes. A pilot study

“…Bisphenol A is an estrogenic compound and is coming to the body from plastics (14) and thermal print paper (15). Several clinical studies show that humans exposed to bisphenol A are more likely to incur reproductive disorders like reduction of spermatogenesis, decreased testosterone production or malformation of the genitals or induction of tumors like mammary carcinoma, immune function and allergy, obesity and diabetes (4,16). Bisphenol A, a common and widely utilized chemical contaminant acting as endocrine disruptor, accumulates in adipose tissue and may affect adipocyte metabolic and inflammatory functions.…”

Toxicological Evaluation of Bisphenol A and Its Analogs

“…The chemical nomenclature of Bisphenol C is 2,2-Bis(4-hidroxy-3-methylphenyl) 24 These data suggest that both children and adults may be exposed to BPA higher than t-TDI mainly by dietary exposure and might be affected by toxic health outcomes. Although a t-TDI was not found for bisphenol analogs, Wu et al 25 reported that bisphenol analogs in foodstuffs are found as bps <0.01 ng/g bpa 0.125 ng/g bpf <0.05 ng/g bpp <0.025 ng/g bpaf <0.01 ng/g In U.S. between 2008-2012 which seem to be lower than BPA.…”