Bisphenol A and S in the Urine of Newborns: Plastic for Non-Food Use Still without Rules.

Valeria Bellisario,Michael Zorzi,Giulia Squillacioti,Paola Dalmasso,Roberta Tassinari,Claudio Medana,Stefano Sottemano,Tiziana Musso,Alessandra Coscia,Roberto Bono,Enrico Cocchi

doi:10.3390/biology10030188

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of bisphenol (BP) exposure on pregnancy and neonatal life. We have (a) determined BP (BPA and BPS) concentration levels in a group of newborns and their mothers; (b) identified factors, habits, and devices possibly responsible for BP uptake; and (c) determined the effect of BP exposure. No significant correlations were detected between maternal and neonatal BP concentration levels. In newborns, positive correlations between pacifier use and BPS total (p = 0.04) and free BPS (p = 0.03) concentrations were detected. A significant correlation was also found between oral glucose administration and concentration levels of free BPA (p < 0.05). Our study points to a central role of lifestyle, hospital procedures, and neonatal devices in inducing BP exposure, especially during the perinatal period. This is the first report of BP contamination in newborns due to widely non-alimentary products designed for newborn care, such as glucose-solution containers for BPA and pacifiers for BPS. Further studies are advocated in order to clarify both the impact of other BP forms on human health and development, as well as potential BPA exposure sources during neonatal and childhood life.

Highlights

Bisphenols (BPs) have long been used for the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins [1]
BPs are well-known as harmful substances for human health, and they are usually ingested mainly through the diet, but BP intake can occur by inhalation or dermal contamination
Once they have entered the body, BPs exert estrogenic and/or oxidant activity [2,3], which is harmful during pre- and neonatal life [4,5]

Summary

Introduction

Bisphenols (BPs) have long been used for the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins [1]. BPs are well-known as harmful substances for human health, and they are usually ingested mainly through the diet, but BP intake can occur by inhalation or dermal contamination. Once they have entered the body, BPs exert estrogenic and/or oxidant activity [2,3], which is harmful during pre- and neonatal life [4,5]. BPs are detoxified to inactive forms in the liver, primarily through conjugation and glucuronidation, excreted in the urine within 2 to 6 h. BPs are prevalently found in urine (75–90%), but they are traceable, albeit at lower concentrations, in other body fluids such as blood, breast milk, semen, cord blood, fetal serum, and placental tissue [7,8,9,10]

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