Occupational exposure to Bisphenol A. Urinary biomonitoring

As an essential component of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, Bisphenol A (BPA) is found in numerous industrial and consumer products, including electronic goods, household equipment, metallic food and beverage cans, bottles and dental devices. BPA has also been shown to occur in the paper industry as developer in thermal paper. Human exposure to BPA is widespread and has been associated with an array of adverse health outcomes. However, controversial discussions around the effects of BPA are still ongoing. Little data are available on occupational exposure to BPA, in particular during thermal paper handling. In this study, we investigated whether frequent contact with thermal paper is associated with an increase in urinary BPA excretion.
Cashiers from various sale areas handling daily thermal paper receipts were recruited for urinary BPA monitoring. Urinary BPA was quantified in free (unconjugated) and total (unconjugated plus conjugated) forms. We also investigated the urinary BPA levels of non-occupationally exposed workers from the same sale areas as controls. In a second time, the urinary BPA levels of workers from a printing company handling BPA containing thermal paper on rotary press were explored. In addition, thermal papers were as well analyzed for the presence of BPA.
Free and total BPA were detected in all samples. A significant increase in urinary total BPA concentration for cashiers was observed when compared to controls. Identical results were also found for the workers from the printing company.
In conclusion, our results establish that thermal paper is a source of exposure to BPA for workers having contact with thermal paper on a daily basis.