First Academic Post: Bisphenol A

Recently, I found an article in a scientific journal called Reproductive Toxicology. The article is titled Human Exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA)  by Lauren Vandenberg Et al. It discusses several studies dealing with BPA that the authors have come across. By looking at the results of all of the compiled studies, the authors have determined which findings are most evidently accurate. The basics of BPA and the conclusions formed will be summarized from the article.

Basics of BPA

Production and Use of BPA
According to the article, over six billion pounds of BPA are produced worldwide every year. BPA is used in many products including "polycarbonate plastics, epoxy resins used to line metal cans, and in many plastic consumer products including toys, water pipes, drinking containers, eyeglass lenses, sports safety equipment, dental monomers, medical equipment and tubing, and consumer electronics"(Vandenberg).

Detection of BPA
BPA has been detected in humans through testing the following:

• Urine
• Amniotic fluid
• Follicular fluid
• Placental tissue
• Umbilical cord blood

Conclusions of BPA Studies

 BPA Levels in Human Tissues and Fluid
The article concluded that 90% of humans even children and pregnant women have detectable levels of BPA in their body. Studies show that levels of BPA in humans are between 0.3-4.4 ng/ml. Samples taken from umbilical cords reveal that a developing fetus is subjected to approximately 1-3ng/ml of BPA. The article suggests that studies should be done to detect BPA levels in fat and organ tissue so that they can be compared to BPA levels in serum. This would provide further information on the bioaccumulation of BPA. Since studies of BPA levels in humans have only been done on people living in developed countries, the authors feel that these studies should also been done in less developed countries.

BPA Found in Environmental Sources
Studies conclude that BPA is released into the air, dust, and water from landfills. This is caused by the disposing of products containing BPA into landfills. The article explains that there is "extensive evidence that many of these products leach BPA under normal conditions of use"(Vandenberg).

The Metabolism of BPA in Humans and Animals
It has been concluded that BPA rapidly metabolises in humans and animals. Soon after exposure to BPA, (most likely from the presence of BPA in food) BPA can be directly detected in blood and urine samples. However, evidence suggests that animals and humans do not metabolise BPA the same way. More testing should be done that specifically focuses on the metabolism of BPA.


Why I Considered this Article as a Source
This article is a reliable source because it objectively compares the results of multiple studies instead of relying on just one study. It was published in a scientific journal where it has been peer reviewed and cited in 118 scientific articles since 2007. The authors are from the Tufts University of Medicine and the University of Missouri-Columbia; therefore, their research was not biased by a political, industrial, or commercial agenda.

Sources:

Laura, Vandenberg N., Hauser Russ, Marcus Michele, Olea Nicolas, and Welshons V. Wade. "Human Exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA)." Reproductive Toxicology 24 (2007): 139-77. Web of Science. Web. 31 Jan. 2011.

To view the abstract for this article click here.