An assessment of the environmental fate and effects of bisphenol A

Conference · Sun Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:242373

Staples, C A ^[1]

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1. Assessment Technologies, Inc., Fairfax, VA (United States)

Bisphenol A or 2,2{prime}-bis (p-hydroxyphenyl propane) is used in manufacturing epoxy and polycarbonate resins (1.25 billion pounds US production). About 230,000 lbs. of bisphenol A (BPA) were reported released to water and air from 107 US facilities in 1992 (SARA 313 reports). These potential BPA environmental exposures suggest the examination of applicable fate and effects data for product stewardship reasons. BPA biodegradation half-lives ranged from 2.5-4 days in receiving waters. The atmospheric half-life of the mostly particulate BPA is a few hours (dry/wet deposition and vapor-phase photooxidation). The negligible volatility and moderate solubility (120 mg/L) of BPA suggests that it attaches modestly to sediment and soil (Kocs from 300--1,500). Log Kow estimates range from 2.2--3.84. Measured bioconcentration factors ranged from 5--68. These data, plus data showing the ready excretion and metabolism of BPA in laboratory mammals, suggests the lack of biomagnification between trophic levels. Sixteen freshwater and saltwater algae, invertebrate and fish assays were performed on the ``moderately toxic`` BPA (based on EPA classification). Algal 96 hr EC50s ranged from 1.0--3.5 mg/L (various endpoints). Invertebrate 48 hr EC50s ranged from 1.1--20 mg/L, while fish 96 hr LC50s ranged from 3.0--9.4 mg/L (several species). An EPA analysis of surface water discharges with well known stream flows (7QIO) suggests negligible or no receiving stream impacts based on acute or estimated chronic toxicity values. Most measured BPA surface water concentrations and POTW discharges were not detected. Overall, the results suggest that no impacts to aquatic life due to BPA exposure are expected based on toxicity, bioaccumulation, discharge data and monitoring data.

• OSTI ID: 242373
• Report Number(s): CONF-9511137--; ISBN 1-880611-03-1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
ALGAE
BIOASSAY
BIOLOGICAL ACCUMULATION
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
FISHES
INVERTEBRATES
PHENOLS
SENSITIVITY