Bisphenol A in Alberta Surface Water, Groundwater2

Bisphenol A in Central Alberta Surface Water, Groundwater and

Wastewater Effluent2009 BAppSc Capstone Presentation

Tricia Coates

Lakeland College

Introduction

What is Bisphenol A?Health Hazards

RegulationsEnvironmental Fate and Effects

ObjectiveMaterials & Methods

Location & FacilitiesSamplingAnalysisResults

DiscussionConclusionReferences

Bisphenol A in Alberta Surface Water, Groundwater and Effluent

Background

What is Bisphenol A (BPA)?


Anthropogenic chemical made up of two phenolic rings and joined by a bridging group.

Produced during the reaction of phenol with acetone

Solid at ambient temperatures – usually a white powder or flake

Primarily used as the building block for polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins.

Valued for its ability to increase durability, clarity and impact and heat resistance

What is Bisphenol A (BPA)

Dental Sealants Eyeglasses Compact Discs Photographic Film

Food containers,infant bottles andReusable water bottles

Medical Devices Polycarbonate for water pipes

Epoxy-phenolic resins in surface coating of drinking water storage tanks

Common uses for Bisphenol A

Health Hazards


Exposure is predominantly oral.

BPA molecules are bound by "ester bonds” to form polycarbonate plastic.

The bond is disrupted by heat and acidic or basic conditions that release BPA into food or beverages in contact with the plastics.

Ester Bond

Health Hazards


Many studies have concluded that BPA

mimics Estrogen in the Human Body

Studies have linked BPA with numerous health problems ….

Liver Disease

Diabetes

Heart DiseaseProstate Cancer

Breast Cancer

Obesity

Attention Deficit and hyperactivity disorder

Lowered Sperm Counts

Early Puberty

This is called an

Endocrine Disrupter

Hormone

Endocrine Disruptor

Health Hazards


BPA does not behave like a typical toxin.

Other toxins have clear impacts:

Asbestos = CancerLead Poisoning = Reduced Mental Ability

BUT BPA is different because it acts as an endocrine disruptor

It changes the way our body's hormones function

by mimicking our own natural hormone Estrogen

Estrogen can alter the behavior of more than 200 genes which control the growth and repair of nearly every organ and tissue in the body making tracking the toxicity of BPA difficult

The toxicity of BPA is a contentious issue among regulators and scientists.

Critics argue that the research isn't conclusive

That humans process BPA differently thanmice in studies…thus we won't necessarily experience the same healtheffects

While many others are convinced that BPA is a cause for concern in humans, as well as mice

Its Agreed thatChildren are Most at Risk


Physiologically more susceptible:

Children’s exposures begin at conception as BPA crosses the woman’s placenta

Can affect the embryo or fetus during critical periods of development

Brains and other organ systems are constantly developing

Face greater exposure per pound of body weight

Animals studies found that exposure to BPA disrupts fetal development.

Regulations


Ensures immediate action by the government to determine risks and to limit human and environmental exposures

1st StepBanning the sale of baby bottles and infant food packaging containing BPA in 2009

Makes Canada the first country to take action against BPA

Spending 1.7 million overthe next three years on further studies as to potential adverse health effects

In the fall of 2008 Environment Canada and Health Canada Declared BPA a “toxic chemical”

Environmental Fate and Effects


Water is contaminated with BPA by:

industrial effluents;

wastewater discharges; and

leachate from landfills

Under aerobic conditions BPA will undergo biodegradation.

In prime conditions surface water degradation half-life is 2.5 - 4 days

In anaerobic conditions - BPA can form sinks where no biodegradation is occurring – a concern for aquifers near landfills

Environmental Fate and Effects


Bisphenol A does not significantly accumulate in aquatic organisms and is not classified as bioaccumulative by the U.S. Environmental

Protection Agency (EPA)

LC50 Values - defined as the concentration at which half of the organisms survive

Range from 1000 to 20,000 ug/L for freshwater and saltwater algae, invertebrates and fish

This is considered slightly to moderately toxic by the EPA

Staples et al 1998 Measured values in surface waters of 0.001 to 1.0 ug/L

Indicates that aquatic ecosystems are unlikely to be adversely impacted by BPA

Objective


Currently there are no guidelines or regulations on acceptable levels of BPA in drinking water or discharge effluent

This report describes a preliminary study to determine concentrations of BPA in surface water, groundwater and municipal wastewater effluent in Central Alberta

As new legislation to regulate the amount of BPA in water is created, current background levels must be identified

Data collected will act as a baseline for future analysis and may identify if there is cause for concern or if more testing needs to be done

Materials and Methods

Eight Sampling Locations:

SangudoGunnMarlboro

WhitecourtDrayton ValleyDevonLloydminster

Marlboro

Drayton ValleyDevon

Sangudo

Gunn

LloydminsterEdson

Whitecourt


Locations and Facilities


Water Treatment Plant Wastewater Treatment Plant Location

Surface Water Groundwater Effluent

Whitecourt

Sangudo Gunn Marlboro Edson Drayton Valley Devon Lloydminster

Marlboro

Drayton ValleyDevon

Sangudo

Gunn

LloydminsterEdson

Whitecourt

McLeod River North Saskatchewan River

Sampling


At each facility three samples were collected:

500 ml PolyethyleneRoutine Analysis

100 ml AmberTotal Organic Carbon

with preservative

1 liter AmberBisphenol A

Sampling


Shipped in an iced cooler within 24 hours of collection

Bisphenol A

Routine & TOC

Sampling


Water Treatment Plants:

Raw water was sampled – before any treatment.

Wastewater Treatment Plants:

Treated effluent was sampled – after treatment but before discharge.

Sampling


Labels were made and samples chronicled in the sampling log

Sampling


The 500 ml bottle was rinsed three times with raw water/effluent before being filled.

Sampling


The Amber bottles were not rinsed.They were filled until zero headspace.

Sampling


Samples collected were placed in a cooler with ice and shipped within 24 hours to the laboratory.

Analysis


BPA was analyzed by ARC using LC/MS/MS in tandem mass spectrometry with a detection limit of 0.001 ug/L (1 ppb).

LC = liquid chromatographyMS = mass spectrometry

Combines the physical separation capabilities of liquid chromatography with the mass analysis capabilities of mass spectrometry

Analysis


LC/MS/MS in tandem mass spectrometry

LCLC/MS

LC separates components Mass spectrum of eluting component

Simple Schematic of a Mass Spectrometer Interfaced to a LC

Simple Schematic of a Two Mass Spectrometer Tandem MS/MS

Location Facility Sample Type Original Source / Discharge Point

Analysis BPA Results

Surface Water

Whitecourt Whitecourt Water Treatment

Raw Surface Water McLeod River BPA ND

Drayton Valley

Drayton Valley Water Treatment

Raw Surface Water N. Sask. River BPA ND

Devon Devon Water Treatment Raw Surface Water N. Sask. River BPA ND

Lloydminster Lloydminster Water Treatment

Raw Surface Water N. Sask. River BPA ND

Groundwater

Sangudo Sangudo Water Treatment

Raw Groundwater Aquifer BPA ND

Gunn Gunn Water Treatment Raw Groundwater Aquifer BPA ND

Marlboro Marlboro Water Treatment

Raw Groundwater Aquifer BPA ND

Municipal Effluent

Edson Edson Waste Water Treatment

Treated Effluent McLeod River BPA ND

Drayton Valley

Drayton Valley Waste Water Treatment

Treated Effluent N. Sask. River BPA ND

Devon Devon Waste Water Treatment

Treated Effluent N. Sask. River BPA ND

Results

Discussion

In the aquatic environment, BPA was rapidly degrading and was undetectable.

Three possibilities…

There was no BPA being discharged or leached into the aquatic environment

The concentration of BPA in the samples was lower than the detection limit of 0.001 ug/L

Possibility 1There was no BPA being discharged or leached into the aquatic environment

Highly unlikely

Numerous ways BPA can enter the environment

Releases occur during production, processing, use and disposal of products containing BPA

WastewatersWashing residues Leachate from landfills

Previous studies have identified BPA in Western Canada

Possibility 2The concentration of BPA in the samples was lower than the detection limit (0.001 ug/L)

Very Possible

Other studies had detection limits as low as 0.00001 ug/L

Chen et al. 2006 detected BPA in Calgary drinking water at concentrations as low as 0.00045 ug/L

This would be undetectable at the detection limit used in this study

Possibility 3In the aquatic environment, BPA was rapidly degrading and was undetectable.

Possible

BPA degrading bacteria are widely abundant in aquatic environments

Biodegradation is the dominant process for removal of BPA

Rapid biodegradation occurs within two to four days (aerobic conditions)

Furun et al. (1990)

Reduction in BPA of 92-99% in industrial wastewater treatment plants When discharged into surface water approximately 95% of the original

BPA was degraded.

Conclusion

BPA was not detected in surface water, groundwater or municipal effluent

Most probable explanations:

Detection limit was set too high

BPA rapidly biodegraded; and/or

Determine baseline levels of BPA in various water sources in Central Alberta, determine where there was cause for concern or if more testing was needed.

Additional testing is recommended in the future.

Incorporate lower detection levels and analysis for BPA metabolites which will indicate if BPA is being biodegraded.

References

Alexander, H.C., D.C. Dill, L.W. Smith, P.D. Guiney, and P. Dorn. 1988. Bisphenol A: Acute Aquatic Toxicity. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry.7(1): 19-26.Chen M, K Ohman, C Metcalfe, M.G. Ikonomou, P.L. Amatya, and J Wilson. 2006. Pharmaceuticals and

endocrine disruptors in wastewater treatment effluents and in the water supply system of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Water Quality Research Journal of Canada. 41(4): 351-364.Dorn PB, C Chou, and JJ Gentempo. 1987. Degradation of bisphenol A in natural waters. Chemosphere. 16: 1501 – 1507.Environment Canada. 2008. Screening Assessment for The Challenge Phenol, 4,4 -(1-methylethylidene)bis- (Bisphenol A) Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number 80-05-7. Available at

http://www.ec.gc.ca/substances/ese/eng/challenge/batch2/batch2_80-05-7.cfm [cited 5 October 2008].

Fernandez M.P., P.M. Campbell, M.G. Ikonomo, and R.H. Devlin. 2007a. Assessment of environmental estrogens and the intersex/sex reversal capacity for Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in primary and final municipal wastewater effluents. Environment International. 33: 391-396.Fernandez MP, M.G. Ikonomou, and I. Buchanan. 2007b. An assessment of estrogenic organic contaminants in Canadian wastewaters. Science of the Total Environment. 373: 250-269.Furun, L, L Boquing, S Zhyong, L Zheng, Y Yayan, and X Yurong. 1990. Treatment of wastewater containing bisphenol A. Water Treatment. 5: 105-124.Health Canada. 2008. Government of Canada Protects Families With Bisphenol A Regulations [online]. Available from http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/nr-cp/_2008/2008_167-eng.php [cited 7 November 2008].Jeannot, Roger, Hassan Sabik, Emmanuel Sauvard, Thierry Dagnac, Katja Dohrendorf. 2002. Determination of endocrine-disrupting compounds in environmental samples using gas and liquid

chromatography with mass spectrometry. Journal of Chromatogrphy A. 974: 143-159.Lang, I.A, T.S. Galloway, and A Scarlett. 2008. Association of urinary bisphenol A concentration with medical disorders and laboratory abnormalities in adults. Jounal of the American Medical Association. 300(11): 1303-1310.Nelson J, F Bishay, A Van Roodselaar, M Ikonomou, and F.C.P. Law. 2007. The use of in vitro bioassays to quantify endocrine disrupting chemicals in municipal wastewater treatment plant effluents. Science of the Total Environment. 374: 80-90.Sosiak A, and T Hebben. 2005. A preliminary survey of pharmaceuticals and endocrine disrupting compounds in treated municipal wastewaters and receiving rivers of Alberta, Alberta Environment. Publication Number T/773.Staples C.A., P.B. Dorn, G.M. Klecka, S.T. O'Block, and L.R. Harris. 1998. A review of the environmental

fate, effects, and exposures of bisphenol A. Chemosphere. 36(10): 2149-2173.The Society of the Plastics Industry. 1997. Bisphenol A: A Safety and Handling Guide. Publication Number

AE-154.U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 2008. Draft NTP Brief on Bisphenol A [Online]. Available

from http://cerhr.niehs.nih.gov/chemicals/bisphenol/BPADraftBriefVF_04_14_08.pdf [cited 10 October 2008].

THANK YOUTO

FOR MY PRACTICUM OPPORTUNITY

And specifically to the Compliance Team Spruce Grove:

TOM TRIMBLEALLAN UNDERSCHULTZ

BRUCE LANGENICOLE PYSH

FAYE HUTCHINGSBLAIR REILLY

JAMES POKORSKIJIM STEELE

Bisphenol A in Alberta Surface Water, Groundwater2

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