Levels of bisphenol-A in thermal paper receipts from Belgium and estimation of human exposure. 2012

Tinne Geens, and Leo Goeyens, and Kurunthachalam Kannan, and Hugo Neels, and Adrian Covaci
Toxicological Centre, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Antwerp, Belgium.

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a commonly used color developer in thermal paper. In this application, BPA is present in its free, unbound form and can be readily released, making thermal paper a potential source for human exposure. In this study, BPA was determined in 44 thermal paper samples collected in Belgium. BPA was detected in all the samples; 73% of the samples had concentrations between 0.9% and 2.1% (between 9 and 21 mg BPA/g paper), while the remaining 27% of the samples had concentrations below 0.01% (0.1mg BPA/g paper). The BPA concentrations measured in thermal paper were comparable with those reported in other international studies. Since thermal paper is a feedstock for paper recycling processes, contamination of other "BPA-free" papers can occur. An estimation of human exposure through thermal paper results in a median intake of 445 ng BPA/day for the general population, which corresponds to an exposure of 6.4 ng/kg bw/day for a person of 70 kg. The exposure of those people who come occupationally in contact with thermal paper can be much higher.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D010209 Paper Thin sheets made from wood pulp and other fibrous substances, used for writing, drawing, printing, image duplication or wrapping. Papers
D010636 Phenols Benzene derivatives that include one or more hydroxyl groups attached to the ring structure.
D004781 Environmental Exposure The exposure to potentially harmful chemical, physical, or biological agents in the environment or to environmental factors that may include ionizing radiation, pathogenic organisms, or toxic chemicals. Exposure, Environmental,Environmental Exposures,Exposures, Environmental
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000395 Air Pollutants, Occupational Toxic air-borne matter related to work performed They are usually produced by the specific nature of the occupation. Occupational Air Pollutants,Pollutants, Occupational Air
D001530 Belgium A country in Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands. The capital is Brussels.
D001559 Benzhydryl Compounds Compounds which contain the methyl radical substituted with two benzene rings. Permitted are any substituents, but ring fusion to any of the benzene rings is not allowed. Diphenylmethyl Compounds,Compounds, Benzhydryl,Compounds, Diphenylmethyl
D016273 Occupational Exposure The exposure to potentially harmful chemical, physical, or biological agents that occurs as a result of one's occupation. Exposure, Occupational,Exposures, Occupational,Occupational Exposures

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