Bisphenol A and its analogues in outdoor and indoor air: Properties, sources and global levels

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals in human adipose tissue and associations between exposure and obesity

Bio-accumulation of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in human body may result in various adverse health effects. This study measured the levels of 16 EDCs in the visceral adipose tissue of 55 participants in China and investigated their association with obesity. MeP, BPP, PrP, BPA, EtP, BPE, and BPC were frequently detected in more than 50 % of the adipose tissues. A positive correlation between bisphenol A and body mass index (BMI) was observed in both multivariate linear regression model (β = 0.87, 95 % confidence interval: 0.21-1.53, p = 0.011) and multivariate logistic regression analysis (odds ratio = 1.28, 95 % confidence interval: 1.01-1.62, 0.044). Restricted cubic spline regression analysis revealed a significant nonlinear association between bisphenol P and BMI. Weighted quantile sum regression and quantile-based g-computation revealed a slight positive trend between EDCs mixed exposure and BMI, with bisphenol A as the primary contributor to the positive correlation with BMI. Our findings suggest the extensive existence of environmental EDCs in the adipose tissue of the adult Chinese population and indicate that exposure to BPA in adipose tissue may be associated with the occurrence of obesity.

Safety of new food contact materials: Migration and sorption studies based on Tenax, powdered milk, baby cereal and oat flakes

This paper presents migration tests of environmental and production contaminants, migrating from food contact materials (FCMs) into Tenax. Migration tests were conducted under two time and temperature conditions (2 h, 70 °C, 10 days, 40 °C). Various chromatographic methods (GC/FID, GC/ECD, GC/MS, HPLC/DAD) were used to identify and quantify the migrants. The specific surface area and pore distribution of Tenax and food samples were also characterized. Plant-based FCMs do not pose a risk of phenanthrene and anthracene migration into Tenax. In turn, carbonyl compounds can migrate after short and long contact between the FCMs and food simulant. However, aldehydes may degrade with prolonged contact of food with FCMs. In addition, BPA, BPS, benzophenone derivatives and phthalates may migrate from the FCMs into Tenax. Moreover, some contaminants can migrate at concentrations above the specific migration limits (e.g. BPA). The intensity of migration process may depend on the structure of the molecule and the size of the substituents.

Higher bisphenol analogues exposure levels in e-waste workers and their associations with DNA oxidative damage in Hong Kong

Bisphenol analogues (BPs) are widely used as additives in a variety of products, including the components of electronic waste (e-waste). However, limited research has been conducted to evaluate the health burden of BPs exposure from e-waste recycling, particularly among frontline workers in developed regions. This study aimed to address this gap by analyzing urinary BPs and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), a marker of oxidative DNA damage, from 101 e-waste workers and 100 office workers in Hong Kong collected from 06/2021 to 09/2022. E-waste workers had significantly higher overall BPs concentrations than office workers (3.476 vs. 1.816 μg/L), with notable elevations in BPA, BPP, and BPZ. Male participants (3.118 μg/L) and e-waste workers involved in dismantling or repairing e-waste (4.245 μg/L) exhibited higher BPs burdens than the females (1.849 μg/L) and workers with other job designations (1.822 μg/L), respectively. Although the estimated daily intake (EDI) for BPA was below the recommended safety threshold, e-waste workers had higher EDIs for almost all BPs than office workers. BPA was the predominant analogue in e-waste and office workers (80.74 % and 75.94 %), and correlated with other BPs in e-waste workers, indicating its pervasive use in e-waste products. Exposure to BPs, both individually and as a mixture, was significantly associated with increased 8-OHdG levels, with stronger associations among female participants and the e-waste workers. The above findings suggest that e-waste workers in Hong Kong had higher BPs exposure from e-waste recycling and carried the associated health risks, with females showing greater sensitivity to BPs.

Rewiring Estrogen Receptor α into Bisphenol Selective Receptors Using Darwin Assembly-Based Directed Evolution (DADE) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Bisphenols are widely used in manufacturing plastics and resins, but their environmental persistence raises concerns to human health and ecosystems. Accurate measurements for bisphenols are crucial for effective monitoring and regulation. Analytical methods detect only preselected bisphenols, while bioassays assessing estrogen receptor α activation suffer from poor sensitivity and strong background signals due to estrogenic contaminations. To develop a bioassay in Saccharomyces cerevisiae with increased sensitivity and specificity for bisphenols, we performed multi-site directed mutagenesis and directed evolution of more than 108 stably integrated estrogen receptor variants. By mutating the estrogen receptor α towards recognition of bisphenol A in yeast, we determined the preBASE variant (M421G_V422G_V533D_L536G_Y537S) with elevated bisphenol A sensitivity (EC50:329 nM) and lost estrogen responsiveness (EC50:0,17 mM). Further engineering yielded an off-target mutant, identified as the Bisphenol-Affinity and Specificity-Enhanced (BASE) variant (M421G_V422G_V533D_L536G_Y537S_L544I) that uses bisphenols as its primary agonist (EC50:32 mM) and impaired estrogen sensitivity (EC50:85M). The rewiring into a bisphenol receptor was confirmed in ligand binding assays to purified ligand binding domains. Taken together, the identified variants form stepping stones for further protein engineering to generate bisphenol specific high-throughput yeast-based bioassays.

Disruptive multiple cell death pathways of bisphenol-A

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) significantly contribute to health issues by interfering with hormonal functions. Bisphenol A (BPA), a prominent EDC, is extensively utilized as a monomer and plasticizer in producing polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins, making it one of the highest-demanded chemicals in commercial use. This is the major component used in plastic products, including bottles, containers, storage items, and food serving ware. Exposure of BPA happens through oral, respiratory, transdermal routes and eye contact. As an EDC, BPA disrupts hormonal binding, leading to various health problems, such as cancers, reproductive abnormalities, metabolic syndrome, immune dysfunction, neurological effects, cardiovascular problems, respiratory issues, and obesity. BPA mimics the hormone estrogen but exhibits a weak affinity for estrogen receptors. This weak binding affinity triggers multiple cell death pathways, including necroptosis, pyroptosis, apoptosis, ferroptosis, and autophagy, across different cell types. Numerous clinical, in-vitro, and in-vivo experiments have demonstrated that BPA exposure results in unfavorable health effects. This review highlights the mechanisms of cell death pathways initiated through BPA exposure and the associated negative health consequences. The extensive use of BPA and its frequent detection in environmental and biological models underscore the urgent need for further investigation into its effects and the development of safe alternatives. Addressing the health risks posed by BPA involves a comprehensive approach that includes reducing exposure and finding novel substitutes to lessen its detrimental impact on humans.

Synthesis and modification of novel magnetic cellulose composite microspheres for laccase immobilization

In this paper, an effective strategy to improve the stability and recovery convenience of immobilized laccase by preparing magnetic particles from cheap filter paper fibers was studied, that is, MC@Fe3O4 microparticles were prepared by simple cellulose regeneration and carboxyl group functionalization, and then immobilized laccase under mild conditions. The Box-Behnken design (BBD) was used to optimize the enzyme concentration, pH value and contact time affecting the immobilization yield. The results showed that the concentration of laccase and pH value had important effects on the immobilization yield. The thermal stability, pH stability and storage stability of immobilized laccase were higher than those of free enzyme. Most importantly, the immobilized laccase had a good degradation capacity for bisphenol A (BPA), with a degradation rate of 75.65 % in the first cycle, and the BPA removal rate remained above 35 % even after 8 consecutive reuses. This study developed a new magnetic cellulose material to immobilize laccase, and the immobilized laccase had great potential in BPA wastewater treatment.

Analysis of Phthalate Monoesters and Bisphenols in Human Prostate Cancer Tissue and Urine

A growing concern has been raised about human exposure to phthalates and bisphenols, while data is limited regarding the accumulation of these endocrine disrupting chemicals at the target tissue. In this study, a novel, simple, and sensitive method was successfully developed for the simultaneous determination of nine phthalate monoesters and nine bisphenols in human prostate tissue samples. A solid-liquid extraction procedure was applied following ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry analysis. The detection and quantification limits were in the range of 4.12 × 10-3 to 0.370 ng/g and 1.38 × 10-3 to 1.23 ng/g, respectively. The average spiked recoveries varied from 71.4% to 102%, with relative standard deviations ≤ 10%. Finally, this method was applied to 76 human prostate tissue samples. Four phthalate monoesters (mono-ethyl phthalate, mono-iso-butyl phthalate, mono-n-butyl phthalate, and mono-benzyl phthalate) were detected with the highest frequency of 98.68%, followed by other five phthalate monoesters (71.05% ∼ 94.74%), bisphenol S (72.37%), and bisphenol A (57.89%). Five bisphenols were not detected in any tissue sample. The concentrations of detected phthalate monoesters and bisphenols ranged from 1.12 × 10-3 to 1.86 × 102 ng/g and 6.08 × 10-3 to 39.0 ng/g, respectively, with standard errors ranging from 3.25×10-3 to 4.64 ng/g. Besides, a positive correlation for the concentration of seven phthalate monoesters and bisphenol A could be observed between tissue and urine, which indicates that these metabolites in urine can serve as noninvasive biomarkers to evaluate the true exposure level of prostate tissue. This study provides data and information on exposure to phthalate monoesters and bisphenols in human prostate tissue and the association with their urinary metabolites, supporting further studies of pollutant exposure and prostate disease.

Effect of ethylene on bisphenol A-inhibited primary root elongation in Arabidopsis thaliana

Bisphenol A (BPA), a widespread industrial chemical, significantly inhibits root elongation, reducing it by 2%, 32%, and 64% at concentrations of 10, 20, 30, and 40 µM, respectively. This study delves into the interplay between ethylene and auxin in mediating BPA-induced primary root growth inhibition in Arabidopsis thaliana. Furthermore, ethylene modulates BPA sensitivity, as evidenced by reduced inhibition in ethylene-insensitive mutants (etr1-1, etr1-3, ein2-1) and heightened sensitivity in ethylene-overproducing lines (eto1-1, ctr1-1). Ethylene biosynthesis inhibitors (AVG, CoCl2) significantly decreased BPA-induced root inhibition. Treated plants showed increased expression of ethylene biosynthetic genes (ACS2, ACS6, ACS8, ACO1, ACO2). Auxin involvement was evident as aux1-7 mutants showed reduced sensitivity, and NPA (an auxin transport inhibitor) improved root growth. BPA and ACC treatments elevated DR5 and EBS activity, indicating enhanced ethylene and auxin signaling. AVG or NPA effects on DR5 activity under BPA stress revealed that ethylene modulates auxin accumulation and distribution. The study suggests that ethylene regulates BPA-mediated root inhibition by influencing AUX1 expression and auxin distribution, offering new insights into the interaction between ethylene, auxin, and BPA in plant growth.

Individual and combined antagonism of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and estrogen receptors (ERs) offers distinct level of protection against Bisphenol A (BPA)-induced pancreatic islet cell toxicity in mice

Bisphenol A (BPA), a pervasive endocrine-disrupting chemical, is known to convey harmful impact on pancreatic islets through estrogen receptors (ERs). Conversely, BPA can activate aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in certain contexts and has raised concerns about potential toxicological effects. However, BPA-AhR interaction in the context of pancreatic islet toxicity is yet to be reported. We demonstrated the specific role of AhR and its interaction with ERs to mediate BPA toxicity in pancreatic islets. In vitro, isolated islet cells treated with BPA (1 nM), with or without CH22319 (10 mM) and ICI182780 (1 mM) and insulin release, glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS), cell viability, and pERK1/2 and pAkt expression were measured. In vivo, mice were treated with BPA (10 and 100 µg/kg body weight/day for 21 days) with or without intraperitonial co-treatment of CH22319 (AhR antagonist, 10mg/kg), and ICI182780 (ER antagonist, 500 µg/kg). Glucose homeostasis, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and inflammatory markers were measured. In vitro data revealed the involvement of AhR in the BPA-mediated alteration in insulin secretion, GSIS, and pERK1/2 and pAkt expression which were counteracted by CH223191 (AhR antagonist) alone or with ICI182780 (ER antagonist). Further, CH223191 alone or with ICI182780 modulated BPA-induced oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory cytokines and alleviated islet cell dysfunction and impaired insulin secretion. In conclusion, therapeutic targeting of AhR and ER combined might be a promising target against diabetogenic action of BPA.

Establishment and application of a high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method for analysis of 15 bisphenols and halogenated phenols in tea

Using high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, fifteen bisphenols and halogenated phenols were simultaneously analyzed in tea for the first time in China. Response surface methodology was used to optimize sample preparation conditions based on QuEChERS. Finally, the limits of detection and the limits of quantification were 0.0200-0.173 μg/kg and 0.0892-0.770 μg/kg, respectively. The recoveries were 70 %-120 % for most compounds (except for some compounds at low spiked concentrations) with RSDs <20 %. Then 135 dried tea samples were analyzed. Bisphenol S, A and F were the predominant bisphenol contaminants with detection rates above 80 %, and the median level of bisphenol F (4.90 μg/kg) was even higher than that of bisphenol A (2.74 μg/kg). Bisphenol A (p < 0.001) and bisphenol F (p = 0.007) were significantly higher in black tea than in green tea. Hazard index was estimated and bisphenols in tea may pose potential risks to human health.

Comprehensive assessment of the safety of bisphenol A and its analogs based on multi-toxicity tests in vitro

As substitutes for bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol analogs (BPs) have raised concerns due to their frequent environmental detection and unclear safety. Here, the cytotoxicity, endocrine disruption, neurotoxicity, aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) activity, and genotoxicity of nine BPs and BPA were evaluated in three types of cell lines. Over half of the tested BPs exhibited greater cytotoxicity than BPA, with IC50 values showing a linear correlation with LogKow (R²=0.69). All tested BPs exhibited at least one endocrine-disrupting effect, notably estrogenic, which was observable even at 0.01-0.1 μM. Importantly, BPAF and BPAP exposure had widespread endocrine-suppressing effects. Moreover, all BPs (except BPP) and BPA increased SH-SY5Y cells apoptosis at 1-10 μM. Only BPF and BPP significantly increased 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase levels, highlighting their notable effects on AhR activity. BPAF significantly induced DNA damage at 1.25 μM, whereas BPA, BPF, and BPP induced damage at 20, 25, and 25 μM, respectively. Finally, ToxPi, a weighted scoring system, was used to rank the comprehensive toxicity of BPs, with 7 of 9 BPs showing higher scores than BPA. Collectively, BPs generally exhibited stronger comprehensive toxicity compared with BPA, emphasizing the urgent need for further research to confirm their potential health implications.

Perinatal exposure to bisphenol A or S alters differently sexual behavior and kisspeptin system in mice

The effects of bisphenol A (BPA), a highly diffused endocrine-disrupting chemical found mainly in plastics, on neural circuits and behaviors are well-known. However, the effects of its substitutes have not been fully investigated. Thus, in the present study, we compare the effects of perinatal exposure to bisphenol A or S (BPS) on reproductive behaviors and related hypothalamic kisspeptin system in mice. C57BL/6J dams were orally treated with 4 μg/kg body weight/day of BPA, BPS, or vehicle from mating until the weaning of the offspring. In the adult offspring, we performed the two-bedding T-Maze test, and we observed the spontaneous sexual behavior. Exposure to BPA caused a delay in puberty onset in females, while BPS caused anticipation in males, and both altered the estrous cycle in females. The sexual and sexual-related behaviors were partially altered in males, especially in the BPA-exposed ones. Regarding the kisspeptin immunoreactivity in the analyzed hypothalamic nuclei, in BPA- or BPS-treated females, we observed an increase within the rostral periventricular area, while BPA led to an increase in the paraventricular nucleus, and BPS induced a reduction compared to control females. Among males, we observed a significant increase in the arcuate nucleus of BPA-treated males and a significant decrease in the paraventricular nucleus of BPS-treated ones. These results support the idea that perinatal exposure to low doses of either BPA or BPS is altering, in a sexually differentiated way, some reproductive-relevant parameters, sexual behaviors, and kisspeptin hypothalamic nuclei.

Biodegradation of Xenoestrogens by the Green Tide Forming Seaweed Ulva: A Model System for Bioremediation

Anthropogenic xenoestrogens pose serious threats to humans and the environment. Ulva (Chlorophyta), a green macroalga that can propagate in environments of various salinities, is a potential candidate for efficient wastewater treatment and bioremediation. In this study, we tested the class of bisphenols and ethinylestradiol and investigated the underlying removal mechanisms of these xenoestrogens. The model organism Ulva mutabilis demonstrated over 99% removal efficiency for bisphenols A, B, E, F, P, and Z, and partial removal of bisphenol S. Ulva showed complete removal capabilities even under axenic conditions, while its associated bacteria were not involved. Complete removal of 6.6 mg L-1 of bisphenol A was achieved within 2 days and a half-time of 1.85 h. Biodegradation was the leading cause of removal, whereas bioaccumulation was minimal. The model substance bisphenol A underwent various reactions, and 20 transformation products were detected using stable isotope labeling. While most of the bisphenol A was completely biodegraded, the primary transformation products were monobromobisphenol A, bisphenol A bisulfate, and 4-hydroxypropanylphenol. This study highlights the potential of the green seaweed Ulva to provide a pathway for more effective and sustainable bioremediation strategies to tackle the environmental pollution caused by xenoestrogens.

Adsorption of Bisphenol A from Water Using Chitosan-Based Gels

The comonomer bisphenol A (BPA) finds applications in the plastics industry, where it is used in the production of polycarbonates, plastics, PVC, thermal paper, epoxy and vinyl ester resins, and polyurethane. The water, with which many of these materials come into contact, is one of the main sources of human exposure to BPA. When ingested or touched, BPA can damage organs, disrupt the endocrine and immune systems, generate inflammatory responses, and be involved in genotoxic processes. Therefore, the need to develop effective techniques for removing BPA from aqueous environments is imperative. This paper provides a comprehensive review regarding the effective removal of BPA from water, focusing on the performance and adsorption mechanisms of various adsorbents based on chitosan and chitosan composites. The chemical and physical factors, adsorption kinetics and models governing the adsorption process of BPA in chitosan materials are also examined. This review outlines that, despite considerable progress in the absorption of bisphenol using chitosan gels, further research is necessary to assess the efficacy of these adsorbents in treating real wastewater and in large-scale manufacture.

Health risk assessment to xenoestrogen through atmospheric PM2.5 particles: A case study in Suzhou

Xenoestrogens, classified as endocrine disruptors, can be inhaled through atmospheric particles, leading to adverse health effects such as cancer and developmental abnormalities. This research focused on analysing the monthly distribution, seasonal variation, and health impacts of six target xenoestrogens (dibutyl phthalate (DBP), di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP)), bisphenol A (BPA), and alkylphenols (nonylphenol (NP) and 4-tert-octylphenol (4-t-OP)) in atmospheric PM2.5 at campus of Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University from September 2021 to September 2023. The monthly average concentration of xenoestrogens was measured at 20 ng·m-3, while the mass concentration of PM2.5 varied between 1.75 and 217.36 μg·m-3. BPA was the predominant xenoestrogen in campus, with a peak of 126.52 ± 0.67 ng·m-3. The average concentrations of BPA, DBP and DEHP at campus were significantly higher in winter compared to summer in 2022. The non-carcinogenic risk (hazard index (HI) < 1) and carcinogenic risk (Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk (ILCR)< 10-6) on non-dietary basis for all residents did not exceed the threshold limit at campus. However, the HI (2.82 ×10-5 - 3.53 ×10-3) and ILCR (1.48 ×10-12) values for infants and young children are significantly higher than other age groups, indicating a heightened risk of exposure to xenoestrogens. Given the rising global concern over air quality and its impact on public health, our work contributes valuable data that can inform policy and regulatory measures aimed at mitigating the health risks of exposure to xenoestrogen in the atmosphere.

Long-term exposure to bisphenol-A causes oxidative stress-related alterations at the genetic and cellular levels in the mature ovary of adult zebrafish

Bisphenol-A (BPA) is categorized as a major endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC) used to manufacture many plastic products. BPA affects reproductive performance and promotes infertility by causing hormonal imbalance, mitochondrial dysfunction, and altered gene expression. The present investigation aimed to evaluate the effects of BPA exposure for 28 days on the activity or level of antioxidant response elements (AREs), mRNA expressions of antioxidant genes, and histomorphological changes in the ovary of adult zebrafish. The adult female zebrafish were randomly divided into four experimental groups, viz. control, vehicle (0.01% ethanol), low dose (BPA: 350 µg/L), and high dose (BPA: 700 µg/L) exposure groups. After BPA exposure in both groups, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) level were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in the zebrafish ovary. Whereas, catalase (CAT) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) level were significantly (p < 0.05) increased in both treatment groups. The sod mRNA expression was significantly (p < 0.05) down-regulated in the high-dose BPA-exposed group. Whereas, cat and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (nrf2) mRNA expressions were significantly (p < 0.05) up-regulated in both BPA-treated groups. Noticeable histomorphological alterations were recorded in the ovary of zebrafish exposed to low and high doses of BPA. The alterations in the activity of ARE, mRNA expressions of antioxidant genes, and histopathological changes suggest that exposure to BPA can cause endocrine disruption and damage to the ovary of adult zebrafish caused by oxidative stress.

A Multicenter Exploration of Sick Building Syndrome Symptoms in Malaysian Schools: Indoor Pollutants, Microbial Taxa, and Metabolites

BACKGROUND

The role of the indoor microbiome in sick building syndrome (SBS) is well-recognized, yet prior studies have been limited to single-center analyses, limiting a broader understanding and applicability of their findings.

METHODS

We conducted a multicenter indoor microbiome and metabolome investigation for SBS, involving 1139 middle school students across three regions in Malaysia (Johor Bahru, Terengganu, and Penang). Using high-throughput amplicon sequencing and untargeted LC-MS, indoor microbiome and metabolites were characterized from classroom dust samples.

RESULTS

The study found that the prevalence of SBS symptoms was high across all three centers (51.0% to 54.6%). Environmental characteristics, including indoor NO2 and CO2 concentrations and total weight of indoor dust, were positively associated with SBS (p < 0.01, linear regression). Curtobacterium in Terengganu was negatively associated with SBS, and Clostridium perfringens in Johor Bahru was positively associated with SBS (p < 0.01, FDR < 0.05). Whereas all identified fungal taxa, including an uncharacterized uc_f_Auriculariaceae_sp., Duportella kuehneroides, and Wallemia mellicola, were positively associated with SBS (p < 0.01, FDR < 0.05) in Johor Bahru and Terengganu. Mediation analysis revealed that the adverse health effects of NO2 on SBS were partially mediated by the increased abundance of uc_f_Auriculariaceae_sp. (p < 0.05, total effect mediated 51.40%). Additionally, potential protective metabolites (S-adenosylmethionine, N-acetylserotonin, sphinganine, 4-hydroxy-2-quinolone, and (2E,4Z,8E)-Colneleic acid) were mainly derived from environmental microorganisms, conferring protective effects against nasal symptoms and tiredness. In contrast, synthetic chemicals were associated with higher SBS symptoms, inducing eye and nasal symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

This study emphasizes both the significance of fostering a balanced indoor microbiome/metabolite and the necessity to reduce exposure to deleterious substances, providing new insights for future targeted intervention strategies.

Bisphenols in indoor dust: A comprehensive review of global distribution, exposure risks, transformation, and biomonitoring

Bisphenols (BPs) are pervasive environmental contaminants extensively found in indoor environments worldwide. Despite their ubiquitous presence and potential health risks, there remains a notable gap in the comprehensive reviews focusing on BPs in indoor dust. Existing literature often addresses specific aspects such as exposure pathways, transformation products, or biomonitoring techniques, but lacks a consolidated, in-depth review encompassing all these facets. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the global distribution of BPs, emphasizing their prevalence in diverse indoor settings ranging from households and workplaces to public areas. Variations in BP concentrations across these environments are explored, influenced by factors such as industrial activities, consumer product usage patterns, and geographical location. Exposure assessments highlight ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact as primary pathways for BP exposure, with ingestion being particularly significant for vulnerable groups such as infants and young children. Studies consistently reveal higher concentrations of BPs in urban indoor dust compared to rural settings, reflecting the impact of urbanization and intensive consumer practices. Moreover, BPs from mobile sources like vehicles contribute significantly to overall human exposure, further complicating exposure assessments. The review also delves into the transformation of BPs within indoor environments, emphasizing the diverse roles of physical, chemical, and biological processes in generating various transformation products (TPs). These TPs can exhibit heightened toxicity compared to their parent compounds, necessitating deeper investigations into their environmental fate and potential health implications. Critical examination of biomonitoring techniques for BPs and their metabolites underscores the importance of non-invasive sampling methods, offering ethical advantages and practicality in assessing human exposure levels. The emerging use of bioindicators, encompassing plants, animals, and innovative approaches like spider webs, presents promising avenues for effectively monitoring environmental contamination.

Material Cycles, Environmental Emissions, and Ecological Risks of Bisphenol A (BPA) in China and Implications for Sustainable Plastic Management

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a high-production-volume plastic chemical, with ∼98% of its usage in China allocated to producing polycarbonate and epoxy resin, and its fugitive release threatens ecosystems. However, knowledge of its anthropogenic cycles, environmental emissions, and ecological risks remains incomplete, hindering effective plastic lifecycle management. Herein, material flow analysis, multimedia environmental modeling, and ecological risk assessment were integrated to comprehensively map BPA dynamics in China. Results reveal a ∼ 90-fold increase in BPA consumption between 1992 and 2022 and major applications shifted from optics and packaging to automotive, construction, and electronics. China held ∼34 Mt of in-use BPA stock in 2022 (∼24 kg per capita), with no indication of reaching saturation. BPA release occurred throughout its lifecycle, and soil and water were primary sinks. Aquatic BPA concentrations exceeded the limit in national pollutant emission standards in ∼8.4% of Chinese mainland areas in 2022, and ∼4.5% of areas suffered very high chronic ecological risks to aquatic organisms. Scenario analysis indicates that a 90% reduction in BPA emission factors would be required to avoid BPA contamination in all areas of focus. Our findings contribute as a scientific basis for sustainable plastic management and highlight the need for updated techniques, intensified monitoring, and standardized regulations.

Bisphenol S impairs oocyte quality by inducing gut microbiota dysbiosis

A good quality egg is essential for a successful pregnancy and early embryo development. Oocyte development is vulnerable to environmental exposures. Bisphenol S (BPS) is widely used as a replacement for its analog bisphenol A, but the reproductive toxicity of BPS has been of great concern. In this study, we showed that BPS exposure induces dysbiosis of the gut microbiota, which further leads to intestinal permeability and inflammation, and ultimately impairs oocyte quality. More importantly, we found that alginate oligosaccharide reshapes the gut microbiota to improve gut homeostasis, thereby preventing the deleterious effects of BPS on the gut and oocytes. Overall, this study not only demonstrates that BPS exposure impairs the intestine and oocytes by inducing dysbiosis of the gut microbiota but also develops a preventive strategy.

IMPORTANCE

Oocyte development is vulnerable to stimulation by intrinsic and extrinsic factors, particularly many environmental pollutants and chemicals in daily life. The reproductive toxicity of bisphenol S has been of great concern, although it is widely used as a safe substitute for its analog bisphenol A. However, it is not known how bisphenol S impairs oocyte quality. This work presents the exciting finding that bisphenol S induces gut microbiota dysbiosis, which further leads to increased intestinal permeability and inflammation and ultimately damages oocytes. More importantly, we show that alginate oligosaccharide improves gut homeostasis by reshaping the gut microbiota, therefore preventing the bisphenol S-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis and gut and oocyte damage. These findings present a major advance in the understanding of bisphenol S toxicity to oocytes and also provide a preventive strategy.

Degradation mechanisms and toxicity determination of bisphenol A by FeOx-activated peroxydisulfate under ultraviolet light

Ultraviolet light (UV)-assisted advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are commonly used to degrade organic contaminants. However, this reaction system's extensive comprehension of the degradation mechanisms and toxicity assessment remains inadequate. This study focuses on investigating the degradation mechanisms and pathways of bisphenol A (BPA), generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and toxicity of degradation intermediates in UV/PDS/ferrous composites (FeOx) systems. The degradation rate of BPA gradually increased from the initial 11.92% to 100% within 120 min. Sulfate radicals (SO 4 . - ), hydroxyl radicals (.OH), superoxide anions (O 2 . - ), and singlet oxygen (1O2) were the primary factors in the photocatalytic degradation of BPA in the UV/PDS/FeOx systems. The main reactions of BPA in this system were deduced to be β-bond cleavage, hydroxyl substitution reaction, hydrogen bond cleavage, and oxidation reaction. A trend of decreasing toxicity for the degradation intermediates of BPA was observed according to the toxicity investigations. The efficient degradation of BPA in UV/PDS/FeOx systems provided theoretical data for AOPs, which will improve the understanding of organic contaminants by FeOx in natural industry wastewater.

Bisphenol pollutants bind with human hair keratin: Combining evidence from fluorescence spectroscopy and molecular docking

Bisphenols, including bisphenol A (BPA) and its analogs such as bisphenol F (BPF), bisphenol S (BPS), tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), tetrachlorobisphenol A (TCBPA) and tetrabromobisphenol S (TBBPS), are typical endocrine disruptors widely used in plastic production. However, until now, the occurrence mechanisms of these bisphenols in hair, a non-invasive material for human biomonitoring, have been inadequately explored. This study employed fluorescence spectroscopy and molecular docking to investigate the interactions between these 6 bisphenols and hair keratin. The findings revealed that these bisphenols quenched keratin's intrinsic fluorescence in a concentration-dependent manner and exhibited a mixed quenching mechanism. Their binding constants to keratin at 308 K range from 6.98 × 102 to 7.24 × 106 M-1, with a spontaneous binding mode observed. Halogenated bisphenols demonstrated a higher binding affinity to keratin compared to non-halogenated bisphenols, with bromobisphenols showing a greater affinity than chlorinated bisphenols. The combined results from fluorescence and molecular docking suggest that hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions are the predominant forces driving the binding of bisphenols to hair keratin. These insights first provide a novel perspective on understanding the mechanisms of small molecular pollutants deposition in hair, marking an important step toward utilizing hair as a biomonitoring tool.

Tetrabromobisphenol A biotransformation in aged soil: Mechanism analysis induced by root exudates during rhizoremediation of Helianthus annus

Rhizoremediation, recognized as a progressive strategy for the removal of organic pollutants in soil, prominently focused on the influence of root exudates-induced alterations within the rhizosphere on the bioavailability and transformation of pollutants. However, the influence of root exudates on the ultimate fate of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) in soil remains unclear. The current study embarked on a comprehensive examination of the biotransformation process and underlying mechanisms of TBBPA driven by root exudates of Helianthus annus in rhizospheric soil. The pot experiment underscored the constructive impact of root exudates on enhancing the TBBPA dissipation efficiency within lab-controlled, with the increments of 18.77 %∼38.64 %. The core bacterial players responsible for TBBPA biotransformation were identified, with the prominent genus being Saccharibacteria_genera_incertae_sedis, unclassified_Sphingomonadaceae, and Parcubacteria_genera_incertae_sedis. In rhizospheric soil, a comprehensive analysis disclosed the presence of 20 different biotransformation products of TBBPA. Notably, root exudates were found to predominantly drive the reductive debromination pathway. This study provided for the first concrete evidence that root exudates can promote the desorption of TBBPA from soils. The current study aimed to decipher the molecular mechanisms in biotransformation process of TBBPA mediated by root exudates, and also provided reference for the environmental behavior of organic pollutants induced by root exudates.

Identification of core genes and molecular prediction of drug targets for countering BPA-induced olfactory bulb neurotoxicity in male mice

Bisphenol A (BPA) is ubiquitous in plastics, which can modify and improve the applicability and durability of plastics. Previous laboratory studies have shown that BPA can trigger cognitive impairment and depression. The olfactory bulb (OB) is significantly related to cognition and depression. However, there is a deficiency in information on BPA-induced OB neurotoxicity. Therefore, we analyzed the OB tissues of male mice at the transcriptional level after BPA poisoning at four different levels of concentration (0, 0.01, 0.1, and 1 μg/mL). Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) were used to screen critical pathways and core genes. The result demonstrated that the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway might play a crucial role in the effects of BPA on the OB. In addition, two genes of the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, the colony stimulating factor-1 receptor (Csf1r) and the toll-like receptor 2 (Tlr2), were screened by the protein-protein interaction networks. Furthermore, molecular docking identified ceftolozane as a potential drug candidate that could counteract BPA-related OB neurotoxicity. Conclusively, our results confirmed that BPA induced OB damage in male mice through the PI3K-AKT pathway and proposed that ceftolozane might reduce BPA-induced OB neurotoxicity.

BPA induces testicular damage in male rodents via apoptosis, autophagy, and ferroptosis

Bisphenol A (BPA), chemically known as 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) propane, is one of the most common endocrine-disrupting chemicals in our environment. Long-term or high-dose exposure to BPA may lead to testicular damage and adversely affect male reproductive function. In vivo studies on rodents have demonstrated that BPA triggers apoptosis in testicular cells through both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. Further in vitro studies on spermatogonia, Sertoli cells, and Leydig cells have all confirmed the pro-apoptotic effects of BPA. Given these findings, apoptosis is considered a primary mode of cell death induced by BPA in testicular tissue. In addition, BPA promotes autophagy by altering the activity of the Akt/mTOR pathway and upregulating the expression of autophagy-related genes and proteins. Recent studies have also identified ferroptosis as a significant contributing factor to BPA-induced testicular damage, further complicating the landscape of BPA's effects. This review summarizes natural substances that mitigate BPA-induced testicular damage by inhibiting these cell death pathways. These findings not only highlight potential therapeutic strategies but also underscore the need for further research into the underlying mechanisms of BPA-induced toxicity, particularly as it pertains to human health risk assessment and the development of more effective BPA management strategies.

Air pollutants as modulators of mitochondrial quality control in cardiovascular disease

It is important to understand the effects of environmental factors such as air pollution on mitochondrial structure and function, especially when these changes increase cardiovascular disease risk. Although lifestyle choices directly determine many mitochondrial diseases, increasingly, it is becoming clear that the structure and function of mitochondria may be affected by pollutants found in the atmosphere (e.g., gases, pesticides herbicide aerosols, or microparticles). To date, the role of such agents on mitochondria and the potential impact on cardiovascular fitness is neglected. Here we offer a review of airborne stressors and pollutants, that may contribute to impairments in mitochondrial function and structure to cause heart disease.

Occurrence of bisphenol A analogues in the aquatic environment and their behaviors and toxicity effects in plants

Continuous technological and economic development has led to the extensive use of bisphenol A analogues (BPs) in products, leading to their release to aquatic environments and posing threats to aquatic plants. However, few papers have systemically reviewed the interactions between BPs and aquatic plants. This review comprehensively summarizes the properties, occurrence, fate, and hazardous influences of BPs on aquatic plants. BPs have been widely detected in the global aquatic environment, with concentrations generally ranging from a lower range of ng/L or ng/g to an upper range of μg/L or μg/g in surface water, groundwater, seawater, and sediments. Aquatic plants effectively uptake and translocate BPs, and metabolize them into new compounds. Meanwhile, BPs exposures have diverse toxic effects on the growth, photosynthesis, antioxidant, phytohormones, and structural integrity of aquatic plants. High-throughput omics assays provide significant evidence showing how BPs disturb gene transcription, proteins, and metabolism in plants. This review highlights the need for increased attention on the effects of emerging BPA alternatives, joint treatment, long-term exposure with environmental relevant doses, and potential hazards posed by ingesting polluted plants.

Bisphenol A triggers activation of ocular immune system and aggravates allergic airway inflammation

Bisphenol A (BPA) is widely used in manufacturing plastic products, and it has been reported that exposure through the airway or orally aggravates allergic airway inflammation. Because BPA is detected in the atmosphere and indoor environments, the eyes can also be exposed to BPA. After ocular exposure to BPA and antigen via eye drops, we observed enhanced antigen uptake of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) in tear duct-associated lymphoid tissue (TALT). Additionally, we observed the formation of germinal center (GC) B cells in TALT and induction of allergic airway inflammation in mice sensitized with BPA and antigen via eye drops, followed by airway antigen exposure. We also found that DNAX-activating protein of 12 kDa (DAP12)-deficient mice displayed impaired activation of APCs enhanced by ocular exposure to BPA. These results indicate that ocular sensitization to BPA and allergen triggers allergic inflammation via TALT activation, and that DAP12 might be a key molecule for modulating the ocular immune system.

Storms mobilize organophosphate esters, bisphenols, PFASs, and vehicle-derived contaminants to San Francisco Bay watersheds

In urban to peri-urban watersheds such as those surrounding San Francisco Bay, stormwater runoff is a major pathway by which contaminants enter aquatic ecosystems. We evaluated the occurrence of 154 organic contaminants via liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry, including organophosphate esters (OPEs), bisphenols, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), and a suite of novel urban stormwater tracers (SWCECs; i.e., vehicle-derived chemicals, pesticides, pharmaceuticals/personal care products, benzothiazoles/benzotriazoles). Time-averaged composite sampling focused on storms in highly developed watersheds over four wet seasons, with complementary sampling in less-urban reference watersheds, near-shore estuarine sites, and the open Bay. Of the targeted contaminants, 68 (21 SWCECs, 29 OPEs, 3 bisphenols, 15 PFASs) were detected in ≥10 of 26 urban stormwater samples. Median concentrations exceeded 500 ng L-1 for 1,3-diphenylguanidine, hexa(methoxymethyl)melamine, and caffeine, and exceeded 300 ng L-1 for 2-hydroxy-benzothiazole, 5-methyl-1H-benzotriazole, pentachlorophenol, and tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate. Median individual PFAS concentrations were <10 ng L-1, with highest concentrations for PFHxA (180 ng L-1), PFOA (110 ng L-1), and PFOS (81 ng L-1). In six of eight urban stormwater samples analyzed for 6PPD-quinone (a tire rubber-derived transformation product), concentrations exceeded coho salmon acute toxicity thresholds, suggesting (sub)lethal impacts for sensitive species. Observed concentrations were generally significantly higher in highly developed watersheds relative to reference watersheds, but not statistically different in near-shore estuarine sites, suggesting substantial transient exposure potential at stormwater outfalls or creek outflows. Results emphasized the role of stormwater in contaminant transport, the importance of vehicles/roadways as contaminant sources, and the value of monitoring broad multi-analyte contaminant suites to enable comprehensive source and toxicity evaluations.

Novel polyvinyl alcohol/gum tragacanth molecularly imprinted-electrospun nanofibers as adsorbent for selective solid phase extraction of bisphenol A

A polyvinyl alcohol/gum tragacanth molecularly imprinted nanofiber fabricated by electrospinning (PVA/GT-MIN) was used as an efficient adsorbent for the solid phase extraction (SPE) of bisphenol A (BPA) in water samples. PVA and GT were functional polymers and BPA was the template for molecular imprinting. BPA was bound to the polymer matrix through hydrogen bonding. The SEM image of PVA/GT-MIN demonstrated a rough morphology with pores and a diameter of 501 nm. The data for the adsorption of BPA on PVA/GT-MIN fitted the Freundlich isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetics models. The proposed SPE using PVA/GT-MIN coupled with high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection presented good linearity from 50 μg/L-5 mg/L (R2 = 0.9999) and yielded a limit of detection of 21 μg/L. The PVA/GT-MIN was applied to extract bottled water for BPA analysis and recoveries were 93.1-97.7 % (RSDs ≤ 3.6 %). This study presents a novel, easily prepared PVA/GT-MIN adsorbent for the extraction of BPA in water.

Occurrence and dissipation mechanisms of organic contaminants during sewage sludge anaerobic digestion: A critical review

Sewage sludge, a complex mixture of contaminants and pathogenic agents, necessitates treatment or stabilization like anaerobic digestion (AD) before safe disposal. AD-derived products (solid digestate and liquid fraction) can be used as fertilizers. During AD, biogas is also produced, and used for energy purposes. All these fractions can be contaminated with various compounds, whose amount depends on the feedstocks used in AD (and their mutual proportions). This paper reviews studies on the distribution of organic contaminants across AD fractions (solid digestate, liquid fraction, and biogas), delving into the mechanisms behind contaminant dissipation and proposing future research directions. AD proves to be a relatively effective method for removing polychlorinated biphenyls, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, pharmaceuticals, antibiotic resistance genes and hydrocarbons. Contaminants are predominantly removed through biodegradation, but many compounds, especially hydrophobic (e.g. per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), are also sorbed onto digestate particles. The process of sorption is suggested to reduce the bioavailability of contaminants. As a result of sorption, contaminants accumulate in the largest amount in the solid digestate, whereas in smaller amounts in the other AD products. Polar pharmaceuticals (e.g. metformin) are particularly leached, while volatile methylsiloxanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, characterized by a high Henry's law constant, are volatilized into the biogas. The removal of compounds can be affected by AD operational parameters, the type of sludge, physicochemical properties of contaminants, and the sludge pretreatment used.

Optical characteristics of brown carbon in the atmospheric particulate matter of Dhaka, Bangladesh: Analysis of solvent effects and chromophore identification

The prevalence of brown carbon (BrC) in the atmosphere has experienced a notable upsurge owing to human activities of anthropogenic origin. This study aims to examine the optical characteristics of BrC in both deionized (DI) water and organic solvents (OS), alongside the identification of BrC chromophores within the ambient atmosphere of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Particulate matter (PM) samples were collected on quartz filters using a low-volume sampler from December 2021 to May 2022 at Mukarram Hussain Khundker Bhaban, University of Dhaka. The concentration of BrC was measured using soot analyzer, optical properties of BrC were determined using UV-Vis spectrometer, and BrC chromophores were identified with GC-MS. Average concentration of BrC was 19.13 ± 5.71 μgm-3. The average of absorption coefficient (babs_365), mass absorption efficiency (MAE), absorption angstrom exponent (AAE), and refractive index (kabs_365) of BrC_DI have been observed to be 38.75 ± 21.90 Mm-1, 2.16 ± 1.42 m2 g-1, 1.51 ± 0.08, 0.06 ± 0.04, respectively. The absorption coefficient and MAE of BrC_OS are 1.3 and 1.36 times, respectively higher than that of BrC_DI. Thirty chromophores of BrC have been identified, predominantly consisting of oxygenated compounds. Derivatives of Bisphenol A (C27H44O2Si2) were detected in all samples of oxygenated compounds, primarily originating from the combustion of plastic and the incineration of e-waste. Additionally, compounds containing nitrogen and sulfur, such as C14H26N2O, C31H55N, and C31H49NO3S, were identified, largely attributed to biomass combustion and traffic emissions. These chromophores play a significant role in the absorption of solar radiation, thus influencing atmospheric photochemistry.

Bacterial bioremediation as a sustainable strategy for the mitigation of Bisphenol-A

In the era dominated by plastic, the widespread use of plastic in our daily lives has led to a growing accumulation of its degraded byproducts, such as microplastics and plastic additives like Bisphenol A (BPA). BPA is recognized as one of the earliest man-made substances that exhibit endocrine-disrupting properties. It is frequently employed in the manufacturing of epoxy resins, polycarbonates, dental fillings, food storage containers, infant bottles, and water containers. BPA is linked to a range of health issues including obesity, diabetes, chronic respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular diseases, and reproductive abnormalities. This study examines the bacterial bioremediation of the BPA, which is found in many sources and is known for its hazardous effects on the environment. The metabolic pathways for the breakdown of BPA in important bacterial strains were hypothesized based on the observed altered intermediate metabolites during the degradation of BPA. This review discusses the enzymes and genes involved in the bacterial degradation of BPA. The utilization of naturally occurring microorganisms is the most efficient and cost-effective method due to their selectivity of strains, ensuring sustainability.

Do dietary exposures to multi-class endocrine disrupting chemicals translate into health risks for Gangetic dolphins? An assessment and way forward

Dietary exposure risks of 39 multi-class Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) to the threatened Gangetic dolphins (Platanista gangetica) were investigated in a conservation-priority segment of the Ganga River. Elevated EDCs bioaccumulation was observed across prey fish species, with di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP) significantly contributing to the EDC burden. The concentrations of persistent organochlorines in prey revealed a shift from dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) to non-dioxin-like PCBs. The prevalence of regulated p,p' DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) and γ-HCH (Lindane) residues suggests regional non-compliance with regulatory standards. The concentration of some EDCs is dependent on the habitat, foraging behavior, trophic level and fish growth. The potential drivers of EDCs contamination in catchment includes agriculture, vehicular emissions, poor solid waste management, textile industry, and high tourist influx. Risk quotients (RQs) based on toxicity reference value were generally below 1, while the RQ derived from the reference dose highlighted a high risk to Gangetic dolphins from DEHP, DDT, DnBP, arsenic, PCBs, mercury, and cadmium, emphasizing the need for their prioritization within monitoring programs. The study also proposes a monitoring framework to provide guidance on monitoring and assessment of chemical contamination in Gangetic dolphin and habitats.

Conjugated metabolites of bisphenol A and bisphenol S in indoor dust, outdoor dust, and human urine

Bisphenol A (BPA) and bisphenol S (BPS) have been widely spread in the global environment. However, for conjugated BPA and BPS metabolites, limited studies have investigated their occurrence in environmental matrices. We collected paired indoor and outdoor dust (n = 97), as well as human urine (n = 153) samples, from residential houses in Quzhou, China, and measured these samples for 8 conjugated BPA and BPS metabolites. Three BPA metabolites were found in collected indoor and outdoor dust, with BPA sulfate (mean 0.75 and 1.3 ng/g, respectively) and BPA glucuronide (0.13 and 0.26 ng/g) being more abundant. BPA conjugates accounted for a mean of 42 and 56% of total BPA (sum of conjugated BPA and BPA metabolites) in indoor and outdoor dust, respectively. BPS sulfate (mean 0.29 and 0.82 ng/g, respectively) had consistently higher concentrations than BPS glucuronide (0.13 and 0.27 ng/g) in indoor and outdoor samples. BPS conjugates contributed a mean 32% and 45% of total BPS (sum of BPS and BPS metabolites) in indoor and outdoor dust, respectively. Moreover, conjugated BPA and BPS metabolites in indoor or outdoor dust were not significantly correlated with those in urine from residents. Overall, this study first demonstrates the wide presence of conjugated BPA and BPS metabolites, besides BPA and BPS, in indoor and outdoor dust. These data are important for elucidating the sources of conjugated BPA and BPS metabolites in the human body.

Fine particulate matter disrupts bile acid homeostasis in hepatocytes via binding to and activating farnesoid X receptor

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5)-induced metabolic disorders have attracted increasing attention, however, the underlying molecular mechanism of PM2.5-induced hepatic bile acid disorder remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of PM2.5 components on the disruption of bile acid in hepatocytes through farnesoid X receptor (FXR) pathway. The receptor binding assays showed that PM2.5 extracts bound to FXR directly, with half inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 21.7 μg/mL. PM2.5 extracts significantly promoted FXR-mediated transcriptional activity at 12.5 μg/mL. In mouse primary hepatocytes, we found PM2.5 extracts (100 μg/mL) significantly decreased the total bile acid levels, inhibited the expression of bile acid synthesis gene (Cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase, Cyp7a1), and increased the expression of bile acid transport genes (Multidrug resistance associated protein 2, Abcc2; and Bile salt export pump, Abcb11). Moreover, these alterations were significantly attenuated by knocking down FXR in hepatocytes. We further divided the organic components and water-soluble components from PM2.5, and found that two components bound to and activated FXR, and decreased the bile acid levels in hepatocytes. In addition, benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and cadmium (Cd) were identified as two bioactive components in PM2.5-induced bile acid disorders through FXR signaling pathway. Overall, we found PM2.5 components could bind to and activate FXR, thereby disrupting bile acid synthesis and transport in hepatocytes. These new findings also provide new insights into PM2.5-induced toxicity through nuclear receptor pathways.

Determination of the urinary concentrations of six bisphenols in public servants by online solid-phase extraction-liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

Bisphenols are widely used as monomers and additives in plastic production. Thus, bisphenol A (BPA) and its most prominent substitutes have been detected in many environmental and human samples. This study proposes an online solid-phase extraction analytical methodology coupled to liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry for the determination of six bisphenols (BPA and bisphenols F (BPF), S (BPS), AF (BPAF), B (BPB), and E (BPE)) in urine samples as an efficient and automated methodology. The method was developed and validated for all bisphenols with good recoveries (92-112%) and repeatability (RSD ≤ 10%) despite the variable matrix effects, except BPAF (which would require a dedicated internal standard), achieving method quantification limits in the 0.05-2.2 ng mL-1 range. The methodology was subsequently applied to 435 urine samples from a non-occupational exposure population (civil servants for the regional government) from Santiago de Compostela (Galicia, Spain). Only BPA, BPF, and BPS were positively detected; the last two presented higher detection frequencies than BPA. When the urinary concentrations are extrapolated to human intake and compared to the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 2 × 10-4 µg kg-1 day-1 (TDI), all BPA positively identified samples would surpass this threshold. Although no TDI exists currently for the other two identified bisphenols, it is evident that human exposure to bisphenols should be limited. Finally, the results stratification by gender revealed higher levels of exposure to BPF in the women group.

Bisphenol a accelerates the glucolipotoxicity-induced dysfunction of rat insulinoma cell lines: An implication for a potential risk of environmental bisphenol a exposure for individuals susceptible to type 2 diabetes

Epidemiological studies have suggested a correlation between bisphenol A (BPA) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). The effects of BPA on β-cell dysfunction may reveal the risks from an in vitro perspective. We used the rat insulinoma (INS-1) cell lines (a type of β-cells) to set up normal or damaged models (DM), which were exposed to various concentrations of BPA (0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10 and 100 μM). An increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis, and a decrease in cell viability were observed in INS-1 cells exposed to high doses of BPA for 48 h. Interestingly, exposure to lower doses of BPA for 24 h resulted in increased ROS levels and apoptosis rates in INS-1 in the DM group, along with decreased cell viability, suggesting that BPA exerts toxicity to INS-1 cells, particularly to the DM group. Insulin levels and Glut2 expression, glucose consumption, intracellular Ca2+ and insulin secretion were increased in INS-1 cells after 48 h exposure to high dose of BPA. Stronger effects were observed in the DM group, even those exposed to low doses of BPA for 24 h. Moreover, BPA inhibited high glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in these cells. Our research suggests that low doses of BPA exacerbate the dysfunction caused by glucolipotoxicity, implying environmental BPA exposure poses a risk for individuals with prediabetes or T2DM.

Mechanism of up-regulated H2O2 BPA-derived production and production of (poly)phenols by two seaweeds of the genus Ulva

The present study provides information on the effects of BPA on ROS production-related phenomena in the chlorophytes Ulva rigida and U. intestinalis, and on the mechanism they establish against BPA toxicity, at environmentally relevant concentrations (0.1-3 μg L-1). Up-regulated H2O2 generation seems to be a key factor causing oxidative damage. Interspecific differences, in terms of the mechanism and the temporal response to BPA toxicity were observed. BPA effects on U. rigida were more intense and appeared earlier (on 1D at 0.1 μg L-1) compared to U. intestinalis and mostly after 7D (LOEC: 0.3 μg L-1, Terminal time, Tt: 7D). In U. rigida, on 1-5D, the 'mosaic' type effect patterns ('models' 3A/3B) with 'unaffected' and 'affected' areas (dark content, positive H2DCF-DA staining signal/H2O2 production and chlorophyll autofluorescence signal loss) indicated a time-dependent manner. After 7D, only U. rigida cells with dark content formed aggregates, showing positive H2O2 production ('model' 4) or in some cells oxidative damages triggering retrograde signaling in the neighboring 'unaffected' areas ('model' 5). H2O2 overproduction (CTCF ratio) in U. rigida, on 1D at the lowest concentration and after 7D at 0.3-1/3 μg L-1, respectively, seems to stimulate (poly)phenolic production, in a dose- and time-dependent manner. U. intestinalis did not display severe BPA impact (i.e., 'models' 4, 5) at any exposures, although at a later time indicated a lower LOEC (0.1 μg L-1, Tt: 9D) than that in U. rigida. In U. intestinalis, H2O2 production does not appear to stimulate high (poly)phenolic amounts.

Medaka liver developed Human NAFLD-NASH transcriptional signatures in response to ancestral bisphenol A exposure

The progression of fatty liver disease to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a leading cause of death in humans. Lifestyles and environmental chemical exposures can increase the susceptibility of humans to NASH. In humans, the presence of bisphenol A (BPA) in urine is associated with fatty liver disease, but whether ancestral BPA exposure leads to the activation of human NAFLD-NASH-associated genes in the unexposed descendants is unclear. In this study, using medaka fish as an animal model for human NAFLD, we investigated the transcriptional signatures of human NAFLD-NASH and their associated roles in the pathogenesis of the liver of fish that were not directly exposed, but their ancestors were exposed to BPA during embryonic and perinatal development three generations prior. Comparison of bulk RNA-Seq data of the liver in BPA lineage male and female medaka with publicly available human NAFLD-NASH patient data revealed transgenerational alterations in the transcriptional signature of human NAFLD-NASH in medaka liver. Twenty percent of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were upregulated in both human NAFLD patients and medaka. Specifically in females, among the total shared DEGs in the liver of BPA lineage fish and NAFLD patient groups, 27.69% were downregulated, and 20% were upregulated. Of all DEGs, 52.31% of DEGs were found in ancestral BPA-lineage females, suggesting that NAFLD in females shared the majority of human NAFLD gene networks. Pathway analysis revealed beta-oxidation, lipoprotein metabolism, and HDL/LDL-mediated transport processes linked to downregulated DEGs in BPA lineage males and females. In contrast, the expression of genes encoding lipogenesis-related proteins was significantly elevated in the liver of BPA lineage females only. BPA lineage females exhibiting activation of myc, atf4, xbp1, stat4, and cancerous pathways, as well as inactivation of igf1, suggest their possible association with an advanced NAFLD phenotype. The present results suggest that gene networks involved in the progression of human NAFLD and the transgenerational NAFLD in medaka are conserved and that medaka can be an excellent animal model to understand the development and progression of liver disease and environmental influences in the liver.

Concentrations of potentially endocrine disrupting chemicals in car cabin air and dust - Effect of temperature and ventilation

Materials in car cabins contain performance-enhancing semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs). As these SVOCs are not chemically bound to the materials, they can emit from the materials at slow rates to the surrounding, causing human exposure. This study aimed at increasing the understanding on abundance of SVOCs in car cabins by studying 18 potential endocrine disrupting chemicals in car cabin air (gas phase and airborne particles) and dust. We also studied how levels of these chemicals varied by temperature inside the car cabin along with ventilation settings, relevant to human exposure. A positive correlation was observed between temperature and SVOC concentration in both the gas and the particle phase, where average gas phase levels at 80 °C were a factor of 18-16,000 higher than average levels at 25 °C, while average particle phase levels were a factor of 4.6-40,000 higher for the studied substances. This study also showed that levels were below the limit of detection for several SVOCs during realistic driving conditions, i.e., with the ventilation activated. To limit human exposure to SVOCs in car cabins, it is recommended to ventilate a warm car before entering and have the ventilation on during driving, as both temperature and ventilation have a significant impact on SVOC levels.

Acetylcholinesterase and dopamine inhibition suppress the filtration rate, burrowing behaviours, and immunological responses induced by bisphenol A in the hemocytes and gills of date mussels, Lithophaga lithophaga

Bisphenol A (BPA), a common industrial chemical with estrogenic activity, has recently gained attention due to its well-documented negative effects on humans and other organisms in the environment. The potential immunotoxicity and neurotoxicity of BPA remain poorly understood in marine invertebrate species. Therefore, the impacts of exposure to BPA on a series of behaviours, immune responses, oxidative stress, neural biomarkers, histology, and the ultrastructure of gills were investigated in the date mussel, Lithophaga lithophaga. After 28 days of exposure to 0.25, 1, 2, and 5 µg/L BPA, hemolymphs from controls and exposed date mussels were collected, and the effects of BPA on immunological parameters were evaluated. Moreover, oxidative stress and neurochemical levels were measured in the gills of L. lithophaga. BPA reduced filtration rates and burrowing behaviour, whereas a 2 µg/L BPA resulted in an insignificant increase after 24 h. The exposure of date mussels to BPA significantly increased total hemocyte counts, a significant reduction in the diameter and phagocytosis of hemocytes, as well as gill lysozyme level. BPA increased lipid peroxidation levels and SOD activity in gills exposed to 2 and 5 µg/L BPA, but decreased GSH levels and SOD activity in 0.25 and 1 µg/L BPA-treated date mussels. Dose-dependent dynamics were observed in the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity and dopamine levels. Histological and scanning electron microscope examination revealed cilia erosion, necrosis, inflammation, and hyperplasia formation in the gills. Overall, our findings suggest a relationship between BPA exposure and changes in the measured immune parameters, oxidative stress, and neurochemical disturbances, which may be factored into the mechanisms underlying BPA toxicity in marine molluscs, providing a scientific foundation for marine BPA risk assessment and indicating immunosuppression in BPA-exposed date mussels.

EFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM), Schrenk D, Bignami M, Bodin L, Chipman JK, del Mazo J, Grasl‐Kraupp B, Hogstrand C, Hoogenboom L(R, Leblanc J, Nebbia CS, Nielsen E, Ntzani E, Petersen A, Sand S, Schwerdtle T, Wallace H, Benford D, Hart A, Schroeder H, Rose M, Vrijheid M, Kouloura E, Bordajandi LR, Riolo F, Vleminckx C. Update of the scientific opinion on tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and its derivatives in food

The European Commission asked EFSA to update its 2011 risk assessment on tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and five derivatives in food. Neurotoxicity and carcinogenicity were considered as the critical effects of TBBPA in rodent studies. The available evidence indicates that the carcinogenicity of TBBPA occurs via non-genotoxic mechanisms. Taking into account the new data, the CONTAM Panel considered it appropriate to set a tolerable daily intake (TDI). Based on decreased interest in social interaction in male mice, a lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL) of 0.2 mg/kg body weight (bw) per day was identified and selected as the reference point for the risk characterisation. Applying the default uncertainty factor of 100 for inter- and intraspecies variability, and a factor of 3 to extrapolate from the LOAEL to NOAEL, a TDI for TBBPA of 0.7 μg/kg bw per day was established. Around 2100 analytical results for TBBPA in food were used to estimate dietary exposure for the European population. The most important contributors to the chronic dietary LB exposure to TBBPA were fish and seafood, meat and meat products and milk and dairy products. The exposure estimates to TBBPA were all below the TDI, including those estimated for breastfed and formula-fed infants. Accounting for the uncertainties affecting the assessment, the CONTAM Panel concluded with 90%-95% certainty that the current dietary exposure to TBBPA does not raise a health concern for any of the population groups considered. There were insufficient data on the toxicity of any of the TBBPA derivatives to derive reference points, or to allow a comparison with TBBPA that would support assignment to an assessment group for the purposes of combined risk assessment.

Impacts associated with the plastic polymers polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, and polybutadiene across their life cycle: A review

Polymers are the main building blocks of plastic, with the annual global production volume of fossil carbon-based polymers reaching over 457 million metric tons in 2019 and this figure is anticipated to triple by 2060. There is potential for environmental harm and adverse human health impacts associated with plastic, its constituent polymers and the chemicals therein, at all stages of the plastic life cycle, from extraction of raw materials, production and manufacturing, consumption, through to ultimate disposal and waste management. While there have been considerable research and policy efforts in identifying and mitigating the impacts associated with problematic plastic products such as single-use plastics and hazardous chemicals in plastics, with national and/or international regulations to phase out their use, plastic polymers are often overlooked. In this review, the polymer dimension of the current knowledge on environmental release, human exposure and health impacts of plastic is discussed across the plastic life cycle, including chemicals used in production and additives commonly used to achieve the properties needed for applications for which the polymers are generally used. This review focuses on polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, and polybutadiene, four common plastic polymers made from the hazardous monomers, bisphenol, styrene, vinyl chloride and 1,3-butadiene, respectively. Potential alternative polymers, chemicals, and products are considered. Our findings emphasise the need for a whole system approach to be undertaken for effective regulation of plastics whereby the impacts of plastics are assessed with respect to their constituent polymers, chemicals, and applications and across their entire life cycle.

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Innovative Sorbents in Restoring Enzymatic Activity of Soil Contaminated with Bisphenol A (BPA)

As part of the multifaceted strategies developed to shape the common environmental policy, considerable attention is now being paid to assessing the degree of environmental degradation in soil under xenobiotic pressure. Bisphenol A (BPA) has only been marginally investigated in this ecosystem context. Therefore, research was carried out to determine the biochemical properties of soils contaminated with BPA at two levels of contamination: 500 mg and 1000 mg BPA kg-1 d.m. of soil. Reliable biochemical indicators of soil changes, whose activity was determined in the pot experiment conducted, were used: dehydrogenases, catalase, urease, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, arylsulfatase, and β-glucosidase. Using the definition of soil health as the ability to promote plant growth, the influence of BPA on the growth and development of Zea mays, a plant used for energy production, was also tested. As well as the biomass of aerial parts and roots, the leaf greenness index (SPAD) of Zea mays was also assessed. A key aspect of the research was to identify those of the six remediating substances-molecular sieve, zeolite, sepiolite, starch, grass compost, and fermented bark-whose use could become common practice in both environmental protection and agriculture. Exposure to BPA revealed the highest sensitivity of dehydrogenases, urease, and acid phosphatase and the lowest sensitivity of alkaline phosphatase and catalase to this phenolic compound. The enzyme response generated a reduction in the biochemical fertility index (BA21) of 64% (500 mg BPA) and 70% (1000 mg BPA kg-1 d.m. of soil). The toxicity of BPA led to a drastic reduction in root biomass and consequently in the aerial parts of Zea mays. Compost and molecular sieve proved to be the most effective in mitigating the negative effect of the xenobiotic on the parameters discussed. The results obtained are the first research step in the search for further substances with bioremediation potential against both soil and plants under BPA pressure.

Bisphenol S and Its Chlorinated Derivatives in Indoor Dust and Human Exposure

Bisphenol S (BPS), an environmental endocrine disruptor, has been identified in global environmental matrices. Nevertheless, limited studies have investigated the presence of chlorinated analogues of BPS (Clx-BPSs) with potential estrogenic activities in environmental matrices. In this study, the occurrence of BPS and five types of Clx-BPSs was characterized in indoor dust (n = 178) from Hangzhou City. BPS was measurable in 94% of indoor dust samples, with an average level of 0.63 μg/g ( Collapse

Key Words

• BPS
• chlorinated BPS
• human intake
• indoor dust
• inhalation exposure

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Grants

• LY21B070006 Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province
• LR23D030001 Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province

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Affiliation(s)

Yi Qian Department of Environmental Engineering, Taizhou University, Taizhou 318000, China
Jianqiang Zhu Department of Environmental Engineering, Taizhou University, Taizhou 318000, China
Ruyue Guo Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310032, China
Hangbiao Jin Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310032, China

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Collaborators Collapse

Health risks of Bisphenol-A exposure: From Wnt signaling perspective

Human beings are routinely exposed to chronic and low dose of Bisphenols (BPs) due to their widely pervasiveness in the environment. BPs hold similar chemical structures to 17β-estradiol (E2) and thyroid hormone, thus posing threats to human health by rendering the endocrine system dysfunctional. Among BPs, Bisphenol-A (BPA) is the best-known and extensively studied endocrine disrupting compound (EDC). BPA possesses multisystem toxicity, including reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity, hepatoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Particularly, the central nervous system (CNS), especially the developing one, is vulnerable to BPA exposure. This review describes our current knowledge of BPA toxicity and the related molecular mechanisms, with an emphasis on the role of Wnt signaling in the related processes. We also discuss the role of oxidative stress, endocrine signaling and epigenetics in the regulation of Wnt signaling by BPA exposure. In summary, dysfunction of Wnt signaling plays a key role in BPA toxicity and thus can be a potential target to alleviate EDCs induced damage to organisms.

Self-powered molecularly imprinted photoelectrochemical sensor based on Ppy/QD/HOF heterojunction for the detection of bisphenol A

As an emerging porous material, hydrogen-bonded organic framework materials (HOFs) still pose application challenges. In this work, the designed type "I + II" heterojunction extracted hot electrons from HOFs using quantum dots (QDs) and polypyrrole (Ppy), improving the stability and photoelectrochemical performance of materials. In addition to serving as a potential well, electropolymerized Ppy was used as a recognition element for bisphenol A (BPA), and a novel self-powered molecularly imprinted photoelectrochemical (MIP-PEC) sensor was designed. The sensing platform showed a linear relationship from 1 × 10-10 to 1 × 10-7 mol∙L-1 and from 1 × 10-7 to 1 mol∙L-1 with an acceptable detection limit of 4.2 × 10-11 mol∙L-1. This is the first application of HOFs in constructing MIP-PEC sensors and a new attempt to improve the stability of HOFs for the application of porous crystal materials in the sensing field.

Bisphenol-A in Drinking Water Accelerates Mammary Cancerogenesis and Favors an Immunosuppressive Tumor Microenvironment in BALB-neuT Mice

Bisphenol-A (BPA), a synthetic compound ubiquitously present in the environment, can act as an endocrine disruptor by binding to both canonical and non-canonical estrogen receptors (ERs). Exposure to BPA has been linked to various cancers, in particular, those arising in hormone-targeted tissues such as the breast. In this study, we evaluated the effect of BPA intake through drinking water on ErbB2/neu-driven cancerogenesis in BALB-neuT mice, transgenic for a mutated ErbB2/neu receptor gene, which reproducibly develop carcinomas in all mammary glands. In this model, BPA accelerated mammary cancerogenesis with an increase in the number of tumors per mouse and a concurrent decrease in tumor-free and overall survival. As assessed by immunohistochemistry, BALB-neuT tumors were ER-negative but expressed high levels of the alternative estrogen receptor GPR30, regardless of BPA exposure. On the other hand, BPA exposure resulted in a marked upregulation of progesterone receptors in preinvasive tumors and of Ki67, CD31, and phosphorylated Akt in invasive tumors. Moreover, based on several infiltration markers of immune cells, BPA favored an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Finally, in vitro cell survival studies performed on a cell line established from a BALB-neuT breast carcinoma confirmed that BPA's impact on cancer progression can be particularly relevant after chronic, low-dose exposure.