Analyzing the Leaching of Bisphenol-A From Feminine Hygiene Products using Fluorescence Spectrophotometry
Presentation Type
Thesis
Department
Biology
Location
Walker Conference Center B
Description
Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a chemical compound commonly used to produce plastic and epoxy resins because it can add strength and rigidity to plastic. Recently, BPA has been detected in feminine hygiene products. Because of its structural resemblance to estradiol, BPA can act as an endocrine disruptor, which has been linked to several health complications, such as cancer development, reduced fertility, and early puberty. Fluorescence spectrophotometry was used to monitor BPA leaching over time into a 1:1 methanol/water solvent from pantyliners and menstrual pads. BPA is a fluorescent compound with excitation and emission wavelengths of 278 nm and 304 nm, respectively. Due to the small amount of BPA leaching from feminine hygiene products and the resulting complex sample matrix, the standard addition method was used to calculate the BPA concentrations obtained from samples. To compare the leaching patterns of menstrual pads, various brands of feminine hygiene products of different price points were analyzed using fluorescence spectrophotometry. It was determined that the generic brands of menstrual pads leached more BPA over time than luxury or name brands. To further analyze the leaching effects, a simulated vaginal fluid was utilized as the solvent to mimic the pH and proteins of the female vagina. The leaching from BPA from menstrual pads was analyzed over a six-hour time period in both the 1:1 methanol/water and simulated vaginal fluid. The amount of BPA leaching from every brand of product was detectable and showed a steady pattern of exposure throughout the 360 minutes.
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Analyzing the Leaching of Bisphenol-A From Feminine Hygiene Products using Fluorescence Spectrophotometry
Walker Conference Center B
Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a chemical compound commonly used to produce plastic and epoxy resins because it can add strength and rigidity to plastic. Recently, BPA has been detected in feminine hygiene products. Because of its structural resemblance to estradiol, BPA can act as an endocrine disruptor, which has been linked to several health complications, such as cancer development, reduced fertility, and early puberty. Fluorescence spectrophotometry was used to monitor BPA leaching over time into a 1:1 methanol/water solvent from pantyliners and menstrual pads. BPA is a fluorescent compound with excitation and emission wavelengths of 278 nm and 304 nm, respectively. Due to the small amount of BPA leaching from feminine hygiene products and the resulting complex sample matrix, the standard addition method was used to calculate the BPA concentrations obtained from samples. To compare the leaching patterns of menstrual pads, various brands of feminine hygiene products of different price points were analyzed using fluorescence spectrophotometry. It was determined that the generic brands of menstrual pads leached more BPA over time than luxury or name brands. To further analyze the leaching effects, a simulated vaginal fluid was utilized as the solvent to mimic the pH and proteins of the female vagina. The leaching from BPA from menstrual pads was analyzed over a six-hour time period in both the 1:1 methanol/water and simulated vaginal fluid. The amount of BPA leaching from every brand of product was detectable and showed a steady pattern of exposure throughout the 360 minutes.
Comments
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