A weight of evidence approach to the aquatic hazard assessment of bisphenol A

Bisphenol A (BPA; 4,4-isopropylidene diphenol) is a chemical intermediate used primarily in the production of epoxy resins and polycarbonate products. BPA has been identified in surface waters and, hence, has been the subject of considerable research into its potential effects on aquatic organisms. Available literature on the aquatic toxicity of BPA was reviewed for quality against European Union TGD and Organization of Economic Cooperation and, Development GLP principles. From this review, studies of suitable quality covering numerous ecologically relevant endpoints were identified to evaluate the survival, growth, and reproductive success of aquatic organism's exposed to BPA. Those studies yielded approximately 70 no observed effect concentrations (ranging from 16 to 3640 mug/L) and lowest observed effect concentrations (160 to 11,000 mug/L) that were considered in this weight of evidence assessment. Across all data, adverse effects on survival, growth, and reproduction occurred only at concentrations of 160 mug/L and above. Secondary biochemical (e.g., vitellogenin induction) and morphological (e.g., gonad histology) data provide insight into mechanisms of action, but do not correlate with apical endpoints related to survival, growth, and reproduction. Comparing the weight of the evidence of the aquatic toxicity data that showed chronic effects at 160 mug/L and higher with typical surface water concentrations in the range of 0.001 to 0.10 mug/ L, BPA is unlikely to cause adverse effects on aquatic populations or ecosystems.