Bisphenol A and Metabolic Diseases: Challenges for Occupational Medicine

Abstract

The prevalence of metabolic diseases has markedly increased worldwide during the last few decades. Lifestyle factors (physical activity, energy-dense diets), together with a genetic predisposition, are well known factors in the pathophysiology of health problems. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical compound used for polycarbonate plastics, food containers, epoxy resins coating metallic cans for food and beverage conservation. The ability of BPA to act as an endocrine disruptor—xenoestrogen in particular—is largely documented in literature, with numerous publications of in vivo and in vitro studies as well as epidemiological data on humans. Recently, different researchers studied the involvement of BPA in the development of insulin resistance; evidences in this way showed a potential role in etiology of metabolic disease, both for children and for adults. We review the epidemiological literature in the relation between BPA exposure and the risk of metabolic diseases in adults, with a focus on occupational exposure. Considering published data and the role of occupational physicians in promoting Workers’ Health, specific situations of exposure to BPA in workplace are described, and proposals for action to be taken are suggested. The comparison of the studies showed that exposure levels were higher in workers than in the general population, even if, sometimes, the measurement units used did not permit rapid comprehension. Nevertheless, occupational medicine focus on reproductive effects and not metabolic ones.

Potential Health Risk of Endocrine Disruptors in Construction Sector and Plastics Industry: A New Paradigm in Occupational Health

“…Current health surveillance of workers in the construction sector and plastic industry gives very limited insight into the health risks associated with exposure to EDs [ 100 ], although the need for the introduction of biomarkers of exposure in health risk assessments has already been recognized [ 101 ]. It is considered that the introduction of specific biomarkers of occupational exposure to ED should be included in occupational health surveillance, similar to the collection of anamnestic data on fertility problems, miscarriages and early menopause.…”

Effects of the long-term influence of bisphenol A and bisphenol S on the population of nitrergic neurons in the enteric nervous system of the mouse stomach

“…However, it has been shown that BPA, mainly due to its estrogenic properties, has a strong negative influence on living organisms 3 – 5 . Therefore, numerous countries have introduced restrictions on the use of BPA, and this substance has been replaced by its analogues, especially in products which have contact with food and/or items intended for children 6 – 8 . One BPA analogue that is gaining increasing popularity is bisphenol S (BPS).…”

Cross Sectional Study on Exposure to BPA and Phthalates and Semen Parameters in Men Attending a Fertility Center

“…Moreover, emerging evidence suggests that phthalates and BPA can play roles in the development of metabolic pathologies, from obesity to type 2 diabetes [42,43], in particular promoting adipogenesis [44] via peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma [45]. In studies performed on mixtures of different chemicals, a more defined role for MnBP [46], MEP and BPA [47] emerged.…”