Abstract

Aims: 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 μmol/mol creatinine) compared with the controls (median 0.52 μmol/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.

Conclusion: 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.