Bisphenol A (BPA) is an industrial chemical found in many everyday items, such as storage containers, food and drug packaging, and feminine hygiene products. BPA is an endocrine disruptor that has been linked to various health problems: reduced fertility, alterations in fetal development, and certain cancers. BPA can be absorbed dermally, which is a concern for women who use feminine hygiene products that contain BPA. Previous work in our lab determined that it is possible to monitor BPA leaching from panty liners over time into a 50% methanol/water solution using fluorescence spectrophotometry. This project focused on determining the effects of pH changes of the methanol/water solution that mimics variations in vaginal pH on the leaching of BPA from panty liners. BPA leaching was monitored by measuring the fluorescence emission of samples using the FS-5 spectrofluorometer from Edinburgh Instruments. BPA is a fluorescent compound that is excited at 278 nm and emits at 304 nm. A calibration curve was obtained for BPA emission versus concentration, which allowed us to determine the linear range, limit of detection and limit of quantitation for our method. Due to the complex sample matrix and small concentrations of BPA in pantiliners, the standard addition method was used.<br/>The top layer of netting from three pantiliners was collected, cut into small squares and placed into beakers that contained 100 mL 50% methanol/water. One beaker was used for each time analysis point, which ranged from 0 min to 6 hr. At each time point, aliquots of solution were removed from the beaker and used to prepare standard addition samples. Fluorescence emission data were obtained in quadruplicate and plotted in standard addition curves to calculate the concentration of BPA at each time point, which allowed us to monitor BPA release over time.

Effect of varying pH on the leaching of BPA from panty liners

Where thousands of chemistry professionals meet to share ideas and advance scientific and technical knowledge. Spring 2023 abstracts, posters, and presentations will launch at the end of March.

ACS Spring 2023

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