Bisphenol-A (BPA) is found in many hard plastics. BPA binds to estrogen receptors because the structure is similar to estradiol, and has been linked to health concerns such as cardiovascular disease, reproductive issues, and effects on endocrine development. These health effects are of particular concern in infants and young children. As a result, BPA is regulated in many products; however, BPA is not regulated in oral hygiene products, specifically children’s toothbrushes. Past research was conducted to examine the presence of BPA in infant toothbrushes and compare the levels in labeled and not labeled toothbrushes. This research was continued by analyzing the effects of temperature and pH on BPA leaching from plastic toothbrushes. Fluorescence spectroscopy was used to monitor BPA leaching from several plastic toothbrushes that were previously determined to contain BPA using an FS5 Spectrofluorometer from Edinburg Instruments. Fluorescence calibration curves and analytical figures of merit were obtained using excitation peaks at 278 nm and emission peaks at 304 nm. Temperature tests were run using body temperature (37 <b>°</b>C) and room temperature (20 <b>°</b>C) and pH tests were run at pH 3, pH 6, and pH 10. These temperature and pH values were selected to mimic the oral cavity based on what foods and/or beverages have been consumed before brushing. Infant toothbrushes that had been previously tested and confirmed to have BPA present were each placed in a 1:1 methanol/water solution for time increments varying from five minutes to 1440 minutes. Aliquots of 5-mL were collected over time from the solutions fluorescence intensities were measured and converted into concentration. The values at different conditions were compared using statistical analysis to determine the effects of oral temperature and oral pH on the release of BPA from the toothbrushes.

Effects of temperature and pH on BPA leaching from oral hygiene products, monitored using fluorescence spectroscopy

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

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