Urinary levels of BPA in pregnant African American women in Atlanta Open Access

Abstract

BPA is an organic synthetic compound that is commonly found in many household products such as plastic bottles, personal care products, the inner lining of food and beverage cans, dental sealants, and cigarette filters. Due to the widespread number of plastics containing BPA, exposure to BPA is ubiquitous. Ninety-five percent of tested individuals in the United States have detectable levels of BPA in their urine. Despite ongoing and published research regarding the endocrine-disrupting properties of BPA, more research is needed to evaluate the effects BPA can have on pregnant women. Exposure to BPA has the potential to cause morphologic and functional alternations by influencing growth, reproduction, and development. Objectives of this study were to characterize urinary BPA levels in pregnant Atlanta-area African American women and compare to the population averages using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cycle 2013-2014 and to evaluate predictors of urinary BPA levels in pregnant African American women in Atlanta. These data are part of a larger analysis to determine the role of BPA in preterm birth. Urine samples were collected on three occasions from 175 pregnant women at two hospitals in Atlanta. During the second home visit, study participants provided information on their diets and lifestyles. Tobacco, hair product and relaxer use, and bottled beverage consumption were indicators of higher BPA levels. Consumption of canned food showed no clear association with BPA levels. Higher BPA levels in the non-Hispanic black population can be attributed to cosmetic product use or to easy access of canned food in primarily black neighborhoods. This study has many implications for future research, such as evaluating other potential sources of BPA exposure, including exposure from occupation, the environment, and consumer products. 

Table of Contents

Background..........1

Introduction ........4

Methods..............6

Results................7

Discussion.........10

Figures

  Distribution of Prenatal BPA Concentrations......................................16

  Distribution of Creatinine Concentrations..........................................16

  Distribution of Creatinine-Corrected BPA Concentrations...................17

  Comparison of C-CHEM2 BPA Concentrations with NHANES Data.......21

Tables

Demographic Data...........................18

  Survey Data...................................19

  Intraclass Correlation Coefficients..20

References..........22

About this Master's Thesis

Rights statement

• Permission granted by the author to include this thesis or dissertation in this repository. All rights reserved by the author. Please contact the author for information regarding the reproduction and use of this thesis or dissertation.

School	Rollins School of Public Health
Department	Environmental Health
Degree	M.P.H.
Submission	Master's Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Environmental Health
Keyword	NHANES predictors BPA
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Paige Tolbert, Emory University
Committee Members	P. Barry Ryan, Emory University Dana Boyd Barr, Emory University

Last modified

Primary PDF

Thumbnail	Title	Date Uploaded	Actions
	Urinary levels of BPA in pregnant African American women in Atlanta ()	2019-04-24 23:16:45 -0400	Press to Select an action Download

Supplemental Files

Thumbnail	Title	Date Uploaded	Actions