Influence of food consumption and packaging on urinary Bisphenol-A level in a sample of Egyptian students

Abstract

Background/aim Bisphenol A (BPA) is a high-production volume industrial chemical used in the manufacture of plastic products as polycarbonate and epoxy resin that line food cans. It has a hazardous effect on human health. This study aimed to investigate whether increased consumption of different food types and food packing will be associated with higher urinary levels of BPA or not, in a sample of Egyptian students. Subjects and methods A random sample of 125 Egyptian children and adolescents from 6–18 years old of different social levels was included. Participants were classified into two groups. The first group included participants less than 12 years old, and the second group included those 12 years or above. Sixty four participants were males, and sixty-one were females. Urine samples were analysed from the studied children and adolescents to assess urinary BPA levels. Results The present results indicated that urinary BPA levels were significantly increased in older adolescents (≥12 years) than those less than twelve years old (P=0.01). Higher juice consumption was significantly associated with higher BPA levels in urine (P=0.002). Conclusions Food consumption had no obvious effect on BPA levels except for juice consumption which has a significant influence on BPA secretion. Also, food storage and packaging had no significant role in BPA levels.