ABSTRACT

Objective: It has been recently reported that Bisphenol A (BPA) may leach out into food, beverages and water samples from the plastic ware in which it is stored. Serious health hazards have been reported from BPA. The purpose of this study is to assess the BPA contents in blood and to assess the risk of cancer.

Method: A total of 100 individuals were selected for study according to the following five age groups: 5−10, 11−20, 21−30, 31−40 and 41−50 years. They were then further divided into normal and diseased. Age, gender, education, source of drinking water, type of food, smoking habit, any exposure to chemicals and history of cancer were elicited during interview. Blood samples were collected and processed for analysis using reversed phase-high performance liquid chromatography (rp-HPLC) in isocratic mode. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile and water (1:1) at a flow-rate of 1 ml min-1.

Results: Bisphenol A contents found in blood samples of all age groups ranged from 1.53−3.98 (mean = 2.94, SD = 0.9). P-values, for the exposed people and those having a history of cancer, were < 0.05 showing a significant relationship between BPA and cancer. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) has established a reference dose of 50 μg/L. Odd ratios and relative risk for smoking habit were < 1 while for all others they were > 1.

Conclusion: It was concluded from the study that people using bottled water, packaged food, having a history of cancer and who had been exposed to any type of chemicals are at higher risk of disease.