Bisphenol-A

Definition of Bisphenol-A: Bisphenol-A is also known as 4,4’-Isopropylidenediphenol, at room temperature it occurs as a white powder or in flakes. This is the common definition for Bisphenol-A, other definitions can be discussed in the article

Notes

Bisphenol-A
Formula
C15H16O2

The total amount of bisphenol-A manufactured within the EU, based upon submissions to CEFIC by the manufacturers, of 2005 was estimated at approximately 1,150,000 tonnes/year mainly produced to manufacture polycarbonate, witch is widely used plastic.

In water bisphenol A is moderately soluble, 300 mg/l, and considered to have a moderate tendency to adsorb to suspended particles and sediments. It has a very low tendency to evaporate into the atmosphere where most of it will be degraded in less than a day. In water and soils it is rather stable, althoug it can readily be biodegraded. It only takes 3 to 8 days to half it's environmental concentrations by biodegradation. 100% removal of environmental contamination can occur within 17 days. In anoxic sediments bisphenol A can be created from the degradation of TBBPA

Bisphenol A has a low tendency to bioaccumulate. Therefore in poses a low toxicity threat by biomagnification towards marine mammals. Acute toxicity is only obtained when mammals consume more than 33 mg of bisphenol A per kg body weigh each day.

Bisphenol a has been shown to exhibit endocrine disrupting effects. In gastropods concentrations bellow 100 µg/l has been shown cause reduced penis sizes in males and enhanced oocyte production in females. The latter results in an increased embryo production at low bisphenol A concentrations. This effect has even been demonstrated in some gastropod species at concentrations of only 100 ng/l. It demonstrates a moderate acute toxicity towards aquatic species. Most species start dying at concentrations above 1 mg/l.

Environmental standards and legislation

Included in the water framework list of priority substances

See also

Bisphenol-A on ED North Database