ORIGINAL PAPER
Occupational exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) in a plastic injection molding factory in Malaysia
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1
University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
(Department of Pharmacology Faculty of Medicine)
2
SIRIM: Scientific and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
(Environment and Bioprocess Technology Centre)
Online publication date: 2017-05-31
Corresponding author
Wided Kouidhi
University of Malaya, Department of Pharmacology Faculty of Medicine, Jalan university, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2017;30(5):743-50
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ABSTRACT
Objectives: The purpose of this study has been to assess ambient bisphenol A (BPA) levels in workplaces and urine levels of
workers and to establish a BPA database for different populations in Malaysia. Material and Methods: Urine samples were
collected from plastic factory workers and from control subjects after their shift. Air samples were collected using gas analyzers
from 5 sampling positions in the injection molding unit work area and from ambient air. The level of BPA in airborne
and urine samples was quantified by the gas chromatography mass spectrometry – selected ion monitoring (GCMS-SIM)
analysis. Results: Bisphenol A was detected in the median range of 8–28.3 ng/m³ and 2.4–3.59 ng/m³ for the 5 sampling points
in the plastic molding factory and in the ambient air respectively. The median urinary BPA concentration was significantly
higher in the workers (3.81 ng/ml) than in control subjects (0.73 ng/ml). The urinary BPA concentration was significantly associated
with airborne BPA levels (ρ = 0.55, p < 0.01). Conclusions: Our findings provide the first evidence that workers in
a molding factory in Malaysia are occupationally exposed to BPA. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2017;30(5):743–750