January 2008 | Antonia M. Calafat, Xiaoyun Ye, Lee-Yang Wong, John A. Reidy, and Larry L. Needham
This study assessed the exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) and 4-tertiary-octylphenol (tOP) in the U.S. general population using data from the 2003–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Urinary concentrations of total BPA and tOP were measured in 2,517 participants aged 6 years and older. BPA and tOP were detected in 92.6% and 57.4% of participants, respectively. Geometric mean concentrations of BPA were significantly lower in Mexican Americans than in non-Hispanic blacks and whites, and were higher in females, children, and adolescents compared to males, adults, and younger children. Concentrations were also higher in participants from lower-income households. The findings suggest that exposure to BPA and tOP is widespread in the U.S. population, with significant differences based on demographic and socioeconomic factors. These data provide a baseline for future studies to identify exposure pathways and evaluate potential health effects.This study assessed the exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) and 4-tertiary-octylphenol (tOP) in the U.S. general population using data from the 2003–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Urinary concentrations of total BPA and tOP were measured in 2,517 participants aged 6 years and older. BPA and tOP were detected in 92.6% and 57.4% of participants, respectively. Geometric mean concentrations of BPA were significantly lower in Mexican Americans than in non-Hispanic blacks and whites, and were higher in females, children, and adolescents compared to males, adults, and younger children. Concentrations were also higher in participants from lower-income households. The findings suggest that exposure to BPA and tOP is widespread in the U.S. population, with significant differences based on demographic and socioeconomic factors. These data provide a baseline for future studies to identify exposure pathways and evaluate potential health effects.