Urinary levels of bisphenol A, benzophenones and parabens in Tunisian women: A pilot study

Bisphenol A (BPA), benzophenones and parabens are commonly used in the production of polycarbonate plastics, as UV-filters and as antimicrobial preservatives, respectively, and they are thought to exhibit endocrine disrupting properties. Exposure to these compounds remains poorly characterized in developing countries, despite the fact that certain behaviors related to westernization have the potential to influence exposure. The aim of this pilot study was to measure urinary concentrations of BPA, six different benzophenones and four parabens in 34 Tunisian women. In addition, we identified some socio-demographic and dietary predictors of exposure to these compounds. Chemical analyses were carried out by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry detection (UHPLC-MS/MS). Detection frequencies of methylparaben (MP), ethylparaben (EP) and propylparaben (PP) ranged between 67.6 and 94.1%. Butylparaben (BP) was found in 38.2% of the analyzed samples; BPA in 64.7%; and benzophenone-1 (BP-1) and benzophenone-3 (BP-3) were detected in 91.2 and 64.7% of the analyzed samples, respectively. Urinary geometric mean concentrations of MP, EP, PP, and BP were 30.1, 1.4, 2.0 and 0.5ngmL(-1), respectively. Geometric mean concentrations of BPA, BP-1, and BP-3 were 0.4, 1.3 and 1.1ngmL(-1), respectively. Our results suggest that Tunisian women are widely exposed to BPA, parabens and some benzophenones. Further studies on the general Tunisian population are needed in order to assess the levels of exposure to these compounds and to identify sources of exposure and population groups at higher risk.