Bisphenol A (4,4'-(propane-2,2-diyl)diphenol, BPA), is a ubiquitous environmental contaminant that has been linked to potential negative impacts on public and ecosystem health. BPA is used in plastics and resins for commercial products, and has been banned due to its unfavorable estrogenic mimicry. Thus, BPA has been replaced in manufacturing processes with alternatives including its analogues, 4,4'-sulfonyldiphenol (bisphenol S, BPS) and 4-[1,1,1,3,3,3-Hexafluoro-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propan-2-yl]phenol (bisphenol AF, BPAF). These alternatives, which are expected to increase in use as a result of the ban of BPA, were once considered safe substitutes; however, recent research demonstrates similar estrogenic activity to BPA. Little is known on the potential persistence, and the environmental fate and transport of these alternatives. This research focuses on quantifying the behavior of BPS and BPAF to accurately predict their environmental fate and transport once they are land-applied. Laboratory-scale batch experiments were conducted to investigate the partitioning behavior of BPS and BPAF including quantifying octanol-water partition coefficients (Kow) and sorption coefficients (Kd, L/kg) in several agricultural soils representing a range in organic matter content and pH. The partitioning and sorption behavior of BPS and BPAF were pH-dependent with increased sorption to soils observed with increasing organic matter content. BPS exhibited lower Kd and Kow values than BPA, thus will be more mobile in the environment. BPAF has higher Kd and Kow values than BPA, thus will be less mobile. BPA is more biodegradable in the soil than BPAF and BPS, and thus are more likely to accumulate in the aerobic environment. Overall, these results broaden our knowledge on BPS and BPAF fate in the environment, which can be coupled to ecotoxicity studies to assess potential risk to ecosystem and human health.

Comparing the partition and sorption behavior to agricultural soils of Bisphenol A (BPA) and BPA alternatives: BPS and BPAF

249th National Meeting (2015)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.