Urinary bisphenol A and plasma hormone concentrations in male workers exposed to bisphenol A diglycidyl ether and mixed organic solvents.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate effects of exposure to bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE) on urinary excretion of bisphenol A, and plasma gonadotrophic hormones and testosterone in male epoxy resin sprayers.


METHODS
Cross sectional study of 42 workers whose job was to spray epoxy resin hardening agents including BADGE and mixed organic solvents, and 42 matched control workers without BADGE use in the same machine plants.


RESULTS
Concentrations of urinary bisphenol A were higher in the epoxy resin sprayers (median 1.06 micro mol/mol creatinine) compared with the controls (median 0.52 micro mol/mol creatinine). Urinary metabolite concentrations of organic solvents used were all higher in the epoxy resin workers compared with the controls. Endocrinological examination showed different concentrations of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) between the epoxy sprayers (median 5.3 mIU/ml) and the controls (median 7.6 mIU/ml). FSH showed a mild correlation with urinary bisphenol A, but not with the metabolites of organic solvents. Luteinising hormone and free testosterone concentrations did not differ between the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
BADGE may generate bisphenol A endogenously. Results suggest that bisphenol A may disrupt secretion of gonadotrophic hormones in men. The clinical significance of endocrine disrupting effects by bisphenol A should be further investigated in male workers exposed to bisphenol A.
Hanaoka
T
T
Epidemiology and Biostatistics Division, National Cancer Center Research Institute East, 6-5-1 Kashiwanoha, Chiba 277-8577, Japan. thanaoka@east.ncc.go.jp
Kawamura
N
N
Hara
K
K
Tsugane
S
S
D000328:Adult; D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D004852:Epoxy Compounds / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D004853:Epoxy Resins / Q000737:chemistry; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D010636:Phenols / Q000652:urine*; D012997:Solvents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D000098826:Bisphenol A Compounds
D001559:Benzhydryl Compounds; D004852:Epoxy Compounds; D004853:Epoxy Resins; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D006728:Hormones; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D010636:Phenols; D012997:Solvents; D013739:Testosterone; C019273:bisphenol A diglycidyl ether; D000098826:Bisphenol A Compounds; C006780:bisphenol A