title: Exposure Hazard to Bisphenol A for Labor and Particle Size Distribution at Polycarbonate Molding Plants.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This research provides an insight into exposure information and particle size distributions of Bisphenol A (BPA), a common environmental hormone, at polycarbonate (PC) molding plants in southern Taiwan.
  
  
  METHODS
  The inhalable dust sampler as IOM and the micro-orifice uniform deposition impactor (MOUDI) were used for samples collection to evaluate the level and particle size distribution of BPA in PC molding plants. All collected samples were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for BPA concentrations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  BPA concentrations detected from the plant using optical grade PC material ranged from 32.28 to 44.97 μg/m(3), which were significantly higher than BPA concentrations (16.16 to 19.39 μg/m(3)) detected from the plant using food grade PC material. Under working environment, the particle size distribution showed a single mode distribution, with a MMAD of 0.84μm and a GSD of 1.97. Emission of BPA increased during heating process and most of BPA particles deposited in the nasal cavity (63.37%), following by alveolus (30.7%), and trachea-bronchus (5.93%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is of importance that proper personal protection should be taken upon the BPA particulates released during the molding process at PC molding plants.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Fashion and Cosmetology Design, Tung Fang Design Institute, Kaohsiung, Taiwan ; Dept. of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Applied Sciences, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yuchan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chao
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Occupational Safety and Healthy, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Tainan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Jinluh
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Applied Sciences, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Weinduo
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Applied Sciences, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Tsunghan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Applied Sciences, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Fusan
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Yen
keywords: Bisphenol A; Particle size distribution; Polycarbonate; Respiratory tract