1. Presence of Bisphenol A and Parabens in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: An Exploratory Study of Potential Sources of Exposure.
- Author
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Iribarne-Durán, Luz M., Artacho-Cordón, Francisco, Peña-Caballero, Manuela, Molina-Molina, José M., Jiménez-Díaz, Inmaculada, Vela-Soria, Fernando, Serrano, Laura, Hurtado, José A., Fernández, Mariana F., Freire, Carmen, and Olea, Nicolás
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ADHESIVE tape , *ANDROGENS , *BIOLOGICAL assay , *CATHETERS , *DIETARY supplements , *ESTROGEN , *GLOVES , *HOSPITALS , *LIQUID chromatography , *MASS spectrometry , *NEONATAL intensive care , *OINTMENTS , *PHENOLS , *PLASTICS , *RESEARCH , *RESEARCH funding , *STATISTICAL sampling , *STATISTICS , *SURGICAL dressings , *TEXTILES , *TRANSPARENCY (Optics) , *HYDROXY acids , *DATA analysis , *EQUIPMENT & supplies , *NEONATAL intensive care units , *FEEDING tubes , *DATA analysis software , *DESCRIPTIVE statistics , *IN vitro studies - Abstract
BACKGROUND: Newborns in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are in contact with a variety of medical products whose production might include synthetic chemicals with hormonal activity. OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to assess the content of bisphenol A (BPA) and parabens (PBs) and the hormone-like activities of a subset of medical products commonly used in NICUs in prolonged intimate contact with NICU newborns. METHODS: Fifty-two NICU items were analyzed, determining the concentrations of BPA and PBs [methyl- (MeP), ethyl- (EtP), propyl- (PrP), and butylparaben (BuP)] and using the E-Screen and PALM-luciferase assays to measure the in vitro (anti-)estrogenic and (anti-)androgenic activity, respectively, of the extracts. Items found to have elevated BPA/PB content or hormone-like activities were further extracted using leaching methodologies. RESULTS: BPA was found in three-fifths and PBs in four-fifths of tested NICU items, and ~25% and ~10% of extracts evidenced estrogenic and anti-androgenic activity, respectively. The highest BPA content was found in the three-way stopcock (>7.000 ng/g), followed by patterned transparent film dressing, gastro-duodenal feeding tubes, sterile gloves, single-lumen umbilical catheters, and intravenous (IV) infusion extension sets (concentrations ranged from 100 to 700 ng/g BPA). A total PB concentration (?PPBs) >100 ng/g was observed in several items, including light therapy protection glasses, patterned transparent film dressing, winged IV catheters, IV infusion extension sets, and textile tape. The highest estrogenic activity [>450 pM estradiol equivalent (E2eq)] was found in small dummy nipples, three-way stopcocks, and patterned transparent film dressing and the highest anti-androgenic activity [>5 mM procymidone equivalent units per gram (Proceq/g)] in small dummy nipples and three-way stopcocks. DISCUSSION: According to these findings, neonates might be exposed to multiple sources of BPA and PBs in NICUs via inhalation, dermal, oral, and IV/parenteral routes. There is a need to address the future health implications for these extremely vulnerable patients and to adopt precautionary preventive measures as a matter of urgency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2019
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