Date of Award

2015

Document Type

Thesis

Department

Chemistry

First Reader

Dr. Sara E. Hubbard

Second Reader

Dr. Timothey E. Hayes

Third Reader

Dr. Joe Nix

Abstract

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical that is commonly used in harder plastic products, in the lining of food cans, and in thermal receipt paper. The usage of BPA in common products has become a concern for humans, especially for infants and young children, because of its effects as an endocrine disrupter. BPA has been linked to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and certain developmental disorders. Because of the possible effects of BPA on the development of infants and young children, the use of BPA in baby bottles and other baby products has been outlawed. However, BPA is still used in the lining of canned goods and thermal receipt papers.

The purpose of this experiment was to use fluorescence spectrophotometry to test the amount of BPA that leached from thermal receipt papers into water samples that surrounded the paper. Also, lake water samples were tested for the presence of BPA. BPA was both detected and quantified in all of the receipt water samples and lake samples that were tested.

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