OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO BISPHENOL A (BPA) IN A PLASTIC INJECTION MOLDING FACTORY IN MALAYSIA

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/m(3) and 2.4-3.59 ng/m(3) 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 (rho= 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.