Bisphenol A is released from polycarbonate drinking bottles and mimics the neurotoxic actions of estrogen in developing cerebellar neurons

Abstract

The impact of endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) exposure on human health is receiving increasingly focused attention. The prototypical EDC bisphenol A (BPA) is an estrogenic high-production chemical used primarily as a monomer for the production of polycarbonate and epoxy resins. It is now well established that there is ubiquitous human exposure to BPA. In the general population, exposure to BPA occurs mainly by consumption of contaminated foods and beverages that have contacted epoxy resins or polycarbonate plastics. To test the hypothesis that bioactive BPA was released from polycarbonate bottles used for consumption of water and other beverages, we evaluated whether BPA migrated into water stored in new or used high-quality polycarbonate bottles used by consumers. Using a sensitive and quantitative competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, BPA was found to migrate from polycarbonate water bottles at rates ranging from 0.20 ng/h to 0.79 ng/h. At room temperature the migration of BPA was independent of whether or not the bottle had been previously used. Exposure to boiling water (100 degrees C) increased the rate of BPA migration by up to 55-fold. The estrogenic bioactivity of the BPA-like immunoreactivity released into the water samples was confirmed using an in vitro assay of rapid estrogen signaling and neurotoxicity in developing cerebellar neurons. The amounts of BPA found to migrate from polycarbonate drinking bottles should be considered as a contributing source to the total "EDC-burden" to which some individuals are exposed.

Analysis Ofbisphenol a Migration in Reusable Polycarbonate Containers and Canned Products Available in Indian Markets.

“…Moreover, high temperature put an additional effect in leaching of the BPA, as the BPA leach out was observed to be more in feeding bottles as hot water was put in to them, while the BPA concentration came out to be less in PC water bottles. The same was also observed by Le et al (2008) in their studies in which they established a clear linking of BPA concentration at elevated temperature. It is well clear from the studies that BPA is leaching at detectable levels at various concentrations depending upon the factors comprising age, temperature and nature of food material.…”

Late-life effects on rat reproductive system after developmental exposure to mixtures of endocrine disrupters

“…Background exposure to BPA or other possible EDCs present in water bottles or cages was not controlled in this study. The doses of BPA present in the mixtures were between 0.225 mg/kg day (TotalMix150 group) and 0.675 mg/kg day (TotalMix450 group), far higher than the doses resulting from migration of BPA from the water bottles into the drinking water estimated by Le et al (2008). Based on these data, we estimate (worst case) that migration from water bottles into drinking water might have resulted in BPA doses of around 1% of those used in the mixtures, too low to make a measurable contribution in the exposed groups.…”

“…The use of polycarbonated cages and water bottles, as in this study, may have introduced a background exposure to BPA (Howdeshell et al 2003, Le et al 2008, Duty et al 2013, which could have affected the biological endpoints. Background exposure to BPA or other possible EDCs present in water bottles or cages was not controlled in this study.…”

Impact of oral bisphenol A at reference doses on intestinal barrier function and sex differences after perinatal exposure in rats

“…Significant exposure of humans through diet is evidenced by the presence of BPA in urine, blood, fetal tissues, and amniotic fluid (3,4). BPA leaches from the polymers into food and water under normal conditions, and exposure to elevated temperatures (boiling, heating) greatly increases its rate of migration (5,6). There is a global concern for human health as BPA binds to estrogen receptors (ERs) (7), and can interfere with normal sex hormone balance.…”