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A study of parabens and bisphenol A in surface water and fish brain tissue from the Greater Pittsburgh Area

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Abstract

Pollution from xenoestrogens has been discovered in the aquatic environment of the Greater Pittsburgh Area and is suspected to be caused by the failing sewer system. Personal care products and plasticizers have the potential to enter the water supply though treated and untreated sewage. Many of these compounds are suspected xenoestrogens. Paraben detection in surface waters was as follows: methyl paraben ranged between 2.2 to 17.3 ppt; ethyl paraben was not detectable; propyl paraben was detected at 9.2 and 12.0 ppt; butyl paraben was detected at 0.2 ppt. BPA was detected between 0.6 and 15.4 ppt. Estrogenic potential of extracts from fish brain tissue was tested via Bromodeoxyuridine MCF-7 analysis and paired with HPLC–MS to investigate the presence of xenoestrogens. All samples were non-detectable for parabens. BPA was detected in 44 of the 58 samples, with a range from non-detectable to 120 pg/g. BCFs were calculated. Results were statistically significant for location of capture (p < 0.05) and correlation existed between estrogenicity and BPA.

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Acknowledgments

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. Special thanks is owed to The Heinz Endowments for their generosity in providing funding for this research and the Heinz Endowment Environmental Program Project Officers, Phil Johnson and Caren Glotfelty. The following people were essential for the fish capture portion of this study: Paul Caruso of the Allegheny River Stewardship Project; John Pastorek of the Alle-Kiski Health Care Foundation; Sue Thompson, Bob Ventorini and Bill Otto from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission; and all volunteer anglers and student interns who helped with fishing expeditions. Grammar and writing assistance was obtained from Rocco Paciello III, a great friend whose support is much appreciated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Healthy Environments & Communities (CHEC), Department of Environmental & Occupational Health, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Bridgeside Point Building,100 Technology Drive, Suite 553 BRIDG, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219-3130, USA

    Lara Renz, Conrad Volz, Drew Michanowicz, Kyle Ferrar & Charles Christian

  2. Department of Biostatistics, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Suite 325 Sterling Plaza, 201 North Craig Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA

    Diana Lenzner

  3. University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, 5115 Center Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15232, USA

    Talal El-Hefnawy

  4. 2850 Pioneer Drive, Ambridge, PA, 15003, USA

    Lara Renz

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  1. Lara Renz
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  2. Conrad Volz
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  3. Drew Michanowicz
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  4. Kyle Ferrar
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  5. Charles Christian
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  6. Diana Lenzner
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  7. Talal El-Hefnawy
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Correspondence to Lara Renz.

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Renz, L., Volz, C., Michanowicz, D. et al. A study of parabens and bisphenol A in surface water and fish brain tissue from the Greater Pittsburgh Area. Ecotoxicology 22, 632–641 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-013-1054-0

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