Occurrence and profiles of bisphenol A and its analogues in marine shrimps from Tianjin and their implications for human exposure

Abstract

Bisphenols, a class of compounds with endocrine-disrupting characteristics, encompassing its effects on reproduction, nervous and immune systems. Diet represents the principal route of bisphenols intake, prompting concerns about dietary exposure. In this study, the occurrence and content of nine bisphenols in 96 marine shrimps from Tianjin were detected and analysed using ultra high performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometer and solid-phase extraction. The analytical method was validated to demonstrate reliable analytical performance. The results revealed that bisphenol A was detected in the majority of the samples, with the highest detection rate among the nine bisphenols, followed by bisphenol S, while the remaining bisphenols were not detected. A discernible age-related trend was identified in the assessment of dietary exposure, whereby exposure levels increased with decreasing age. Furthermore, regional discrepancies were observed, yet no gender-based distinctions were discerned. The estimated daily intake to total bisphenols through marine shrimp in this study was lower than the current tolerable daily intake set by the European Food Safety Authority, and it can be assumed that the risk of exposure to the nine bisphenols investigated through dietary is acceptable. However, given the recently proposed draft values by the European Food Safety Authority and the higher exposures observed in children and teenagers, further surveillance and dietary guidance is required. To our knowledge, this is the first study in Tianjin to evaluate the health risks associated with bisphenol A and its analogues via marine shrimp, which can monitor dietary safety and protect population health.