Temporal patterns of bisphenol exposure in the Czech population within the framework of regulatory measures

Abstract Background Bisphenol A (BPA) and its replacements bisphenols S and F (BPS and BPF) are synthetic compounds commonly used in plastics and epoxy resins. Their endocrine-disrupting properties are of concern due to the broad use of plastic materials in everyday life. This study utilizes Czech cohorts from DEMOCOPHES-CZ (116 mothers and 118 children) sampled in 2011–2012 and CELSPAC (195 school-aged children, 299 teenagers, and 305 young adults), sampled in 2019–2020, to assess the distribution of bisphenols in human urine and to examine time-related patterns in response to changing regulations. Several regulatory actions have taken place between the sampling periods, including a restriction on the use of BPA in plastic baby bottles, a reduction of the tolerable daily intake or a restriction of BPA in thermal paper. Results Statistically significant decreases in BPA concentrations were observed over time, with a 28.6% reduction in adults and 47.5% in children. Conversely, BPS concentrations significantly increased, with a 121.1% rise in adults and 90.0% in children. BPA levels were significantly higher in children than in adults in both cohorts. A moderate correlation was found between BPA concentrations in mothers and their children ( ρ = 0.34), suggesting common household exposure. Higher levels of BPA were found in smokers in the CELSPAC adults and children had higher levels of BPA in the warm season of the year. In addition, females had higher BPS levels compared to males. There was no effect of education on bisphenol concentrations. Reference values for children, adolescents and young adults were calculated for the Czech population. All BPA values exceeded the BPA health-based guideline value (GV) of 0.0115 µg/L and 1–8% of BPS values exceeded the GV of 1 µg/L depending on cohort and age. Conclusions While BPS and BPF levels remain relatively low, the decrease in BPA and the increase in BPS over time may reflect a response to legislation. Higher bisphenol levels in children indicate greater exposure in this group and highlight the importance of continued monitoring. Hence, human biomonitoring studies are essential for evaluating the impact of regulations and supporting future efforts to reduce bisphenol exposure. Graphical Abstract