Workers in Puerto Rico Could Be Exposed to BPA and Other Endocrine Disruptors

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BPA is just one of many endocrine disruptors that workers in some industries could encounter through dermal contact or due to inhalation exposure.

In early 2018, The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) published informational about bisphenol A (BPA) and occupational exposures. BPA is a synthetic compound that is widely used in the production of polycarbonate plastics, epoxy resins, phenolic resins and some specialty waxes. These are found in industrial applications, consumer products and some food packaging.

In 2013 and 2014, NIOSH undertook a study to measure BPA exposure in U.S. manufacturing workers. The agency reports, “The NIOSH study included six companies that either made BPA, BPA-based resins, or made and used BPA-filled waxes.  A total of 78 workers participated in the study.  Over two consecutive work days, each participant provided seven urine samples.  BPA was measured in the samples.  On average, workers in the NIOSH study had BPA levels in their urine ~70 times higher than adults in the U.S. general population (based on data from the 2013-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a representative sample of the U.S general population).”

“Exposure to BPA is a health concern because it may mimic some of the hormone-effects of estrogen,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “BPA is just one of many endocrine disruptors that workers in some industries could encounter through dermal contact or due to inhalation exposure. Other known or suspected endocrine disruptors include polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), perchlorate, phthalates, dioxin and dioxin-like compounds, DDT, fire retardants, arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury.”