Influence of Occupational Exposure to Bisphenol A on the Sex Hormones of Male Epoxy Resin Painters

  • Cha, Bong-Suk (Department of Preventive Medicine, Institute of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine) ;
  • Koh, Sang-Baek (Department of Preventive Medicine, Institute of Life Long Health, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine) ;
  • Park, Jun-Ho (Department of Preventive Medicine, Institute of Life Long Health, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine) ;
  • Eom, Ae-Yong (Department of Nursing, Margaret Prtchard University) ;
  • Lee, Kang-Myeung (Department of Preventive Medicine, Institute of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine) ;
  • Choi, Hong-Soon (Institute of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kwandong University)
  • Published : 2008.09.30

Abstract

Epidemiological studies demonstrate an adverse effect of several environmental and occupational exposures on male sex hormone. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a weak estrogen and a widely used industrial chemical. Epoxy resin painters may be continuously exposed to BPA at high concentrations. The effect of occupational exposure of BPA on male reproduction was examined by measuring the urinary BPA, testosterone and gonadotropic hormones of epoxy resin painters in the shipyard. The painters had significantly higher concentrations of urinary BPA (2.61${\pm}$1.08 ${\mu}g$/g creatinine) than controls (1.38${\pm}$0.5 9 ${\mu}g$/g creatinine). In serum, the testosterone level of painters was significantly decreased but the luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels of painters were significantly higher than controls. Occupational exposure to BPA influences testosterone and gonadotropic hormones in male workers.

Keywords

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