Workers in Puerto Rico Could Be Exposed to BPA and Other Endocrine Disruptors

In early 2018, The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) published informational about bisphenol A (BPA) and occupational exposures. BPA is a synthetic compound that is widely used in the production of polycarbonate plastics, epoxy resins, phenolic resins and some specialty waxes. These are found in industrial applications, consumer products and some food packaging.
 
In 2013 and 2014, NIOSH undertook a study to measure BPA exposure in U.S. manufacturing workers. The agency reports, “The NIOSH study included six companies that either made BPA, BPA-based resins, or made and used BPA-filled waxes.  A total of 78 workers participated in the study.  Over two consecutive work days, each participant provided seven urine samples.  BPA was measured in the samples.  On average, workers in the NIOSH study had BPA levels in their urine ~70 times higher than adults in the U.S. general population (based on data from the 2013-2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a representative sample of the U.S general population).”
 
“Exposure to BPA is a health concern because it may mimic some of the hormone-effects of estrogen,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “BPA is just one of many endocrine disruptors that workers in some industries could encounter through dermal contact or due to inhalation exposure. Other known or suspected endocrine disruptors include polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), perchlorate, phthalates, dioxin and dioxin-like compounds, DDT, fire retardants, arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury.”
 
Dedicated to protecting workers in Puerto Rico and across the Caribbean with industrial hygiene testing and consulting services are the experts from Zimmetry Environmental. Their staff offers testing services to identify a wide range of occupational hazards, including BPA and many other chemicals and substances that are known endocrine disruptors. Zimmetry has even sponsored an educational video about endocrine disruptors and potential exposure concerns that can be seen at: http://youtu.be/YLuXlOPRegU
 
To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their industrial hygiene, indoor air quality, environmental, and compliance testing and consulting services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com .
 
About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals and Fortune 500 companies.  The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America.  The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality (IAQ), asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs and general environmental consulting services.
 

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Paul Cochrane

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Cochrane & Associates, LLC

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