A REVIEW OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL FATE, EFFECTS, AND EXPOSURES OF BISPHENOL-A

Bisphenol A (GAS 85-05-7) may be released into the environment through its use and handling, and permitted discharges. BPA is moderately sol uble (120 to 300 mg/L at pH 7), may adsorb to sediment (Koc 314 to 152 4), has low volatility, and is not persistent based on its rapid biode gradation in acclimated wastewater treatment plants and receiving wate rs (half-lives 2.5 to 4 days). BPA is ''slightly to moderately'' toxic (algal EC50 of 1000 mu g/L) and has low potential for bioaccumulation in aquatic organisms (BCFs 5 to 68). The chronic NOEC for Daphnia mag na is >3146 mu g/L. Surface water concentrations are at least one to s everal orders of magnitude lower than chronic effects, with most level s nondetected. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.