Phthalate and Bisphenol A — Load in Austria

Phthalates are produced and used in large quantities worldwide as plastic plasticisers and bisphenol A as starting material for the production of plastics and as an additive. The Federal Environment Agency investigated the inclusion of these industrial chemicals in the human body as part of a human biomonitoring study. Around 600 urinary samples were tested for phthalate metabolites and bisphenol A. The results show that phthalate metabolites could be detected in all urinary samples, with children and, in some cases, women having an average exposure to phthalate metabolites. Bisphenol A was detected in 16 % of the samples. Here too, there were higher strains on children. Based on the results, reference values were derived for Austria for the first time. In addition, links between the stress and certain lifestyle and environmental factors could be established.