Bisphenol-A: quantification in the urine of pregnant women by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

The use of bisphenol-A (BPA) in global industry has been increasing in recent years, with emerging markets driving this growing demand. BPA applications in the food and beverage industry account for only 3 to 4% of global polycarbonate consumption, but its use is being re-examined as several scientific papers have come to light indicating a direct link between BPA and adverse health effects. Contamination of food and beverages occurs by migration of BPA from the containers that contain it (canned foods, wines, etc.), and is the main source of human exposure. To evaluate such exposure, an analytical method by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry was developed and validated for the quantification of total BPA in urine of pregnant women attended at the Italian Hospital of Buenos Aires in 2013, with a limit of quantification of 2.0 ng/mL and a limit of detection of 0.8 ng/mL. Of the 149 urine samples analyzed, 66.4% were quantifiable, with the median total BPA of 4.8 ng/mL (4.3 ng/mg creatinine) and the geometric mean of 4.8 ng/mL (4.7 ng/mg creatinine)