Study Background

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical that is used primarily to make plastics, resins, and thermal paper. Most people are exposed daily to low levels of BPA that leaches into food and water from plastic products, including water, and baby bottles. However, not all of the risks of BPA are known. Researchers want to learn more about how BPA acts in the body, and how the body gets rid of BPA.

The study will involve five visits over 2 to 4 weeks. All visits will take place at the NIEHS Clinical Research Unit (CRU) in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, and volunteers will be compensated for their time.

At the first visit, participants will be screened with a physical exam and blood and urine tests. They will complete a questionnaire about exposure to BPA-containing products. They will also receive a list of medications that should not be taken during the study period. The second visit will last about 13 hours and will require participants to fast for 8 hours before the visit. They will then have a single dose of d-BPA (a modified form of BPA that is easier to study in the body). Regular blood samples will be taken over the 13-hour visit. All urine will also be collected. Participants will receive breakfast and lunch during the visit. Participants will have three follow-up visits. They will collect and store all of their urine between each follow-up visit. Blood samples will be collected at the follow-up visits.