Cinnaminson, NJ, March 14th, 2018
Earlier this year, The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) published information about occupational exposure to bisphenol A (BPA). Bisphenol A is used in the production of polycarbonate plastics, epoxy resins, phenolic resins and some specialty waxes found in industrial applications, consumer products and some food packaging. Exposure is a concern because BPA may mimic some of the hormone-effects of estrogen, reports NIOSH.
For most people, their primary source of exposure to BPA is through their diet, but workers who manufacture products that contain BPA can also be at risk of exposure. Back in 2013 and 2014, NIOSH undertook a study to measure BPA exposure in U.S. manufacturing workers. The agency reports, “The NIOSH study included six companies that either made BPA, BPA-based resins, or made and used BPA-filled waxes. A total of 78 workers participated in the study. Over two consecutive work days, each participant provided seven urine samples. BPA was measured in the samples. On average, workers in the NIOSH study had BPA levels in their urine approximately 70 times higher than adults in the U.S. general population (based on data from the 2013-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a representative sample of the U.S general population).
“Workers in this study were likely exposed to BPA primarily through inhalation and dermal exposure,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President of Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “This research is concerning for tens of thousands of workers who come into contact with BPA on a daily basis. In the U.S., there currently is no occupational exposure limit for BPA, but, back in 2013, California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) added BPA to the list of chemicals known to the State of California to cause reproductive toxicity for purposes of Proposition 65.”
One company that has been at the forefront of testing for BPA to prevent exposures is EMSL Analytical, Inc. EMSL scientists test for BPA to help identify occupational and environmental exposure risks as well as testing food and beverage packaging for its presence. EMSL has even sponsored an educational video about BPA that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/6qNgoBQxbBQ.
To learn more about testing for BPA, please visit www.EMSL.com or www.FoodTestingLab.com, call (800) 220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com.
About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical, Inc. is one of the leading testing laboratories with 43 locations throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria,
Legionella, USP <797>, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA LAP, LLC. (AIHA EMLAP, AIHA IHLAP, AIHA ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at
www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.