South Pasadena, CA, January 15th, 2020
Last year, the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) made updates to several fact sheets the agency provides to the public regarding bisphenol A (BPA) and potential exposure risks to this common chemical. Exposure to BPA has come under increased scrutiny in recent years as some studies have found that more than 90% of the United States population has BPA in their bodies.
BPA is used to manufacture polycarbonate plastics, which are used to make some types of beverage containers, compact disks, plastic dinnerware, impact-resistant safety equipment, automobile parts and toys. BPA epoxy resins are used in the protective linings of some food cans, in dental sealants and also in other products.
In response to these growing concerns, OEHHA added BPA in 2015 to the list of chemicals known to the State of California to cause reproductive toxicity for purposes of the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (Proposition 65). OEHHA states that bisphenol A is on the Proposition 65 list because it can harm the female reproductive system, including effects on ovaries and eggs.
“For most people, their primary source of exposure to BPA is likely through their diet from it leaching into foods from containers, but workers who manufacture products that contain it could also be at high risk of exposure,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “In 2018, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health published additional information about occupational exposure to BPA. NIOSH reported that a study found that workers from multiple businesses that used BPA had elevated levels of the chemical in their urine and were likely exposed to it primarily through inhalation and dermal exposure.”
One California laboratory that has been at the forefront of testing for BPA to mitigate exposures is LA Testing. Their scientists test for BPA to help identify occupational and environmental sources and exposure risks from food and beverage packaging. LA Testing has even sponsored an educational video about BPA that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/k5TygaVe5Oc.
To learn more about testing for BPA or other industrial hygiene, environmental, health and safety issues, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794.
About LA Testing
LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: : AIHA-LAP, LLC (AIHA-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC ELLAP), CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro, San Diego and Ontario.