Contamination level of Bisphenol A in surface water from urban rivers and lakes of Hanoi city

Abstract

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a precursor chemical to produce polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins that have been widely used in the world with many essential daily applications. BPA is considered one of the endocrine-disrupting chemicals in animals, which causes harmful effects on health. Besides, BPA originates from resins and consumer products after use has been released into the environment. To assess the contamination level of BPA in surface water, this study collected and analysed water samples from rivers and lakes in the centre of Hanoi. The average concentration of BPA in 45 surface water samples was 76.8 ng/l (6.6-284 ng/l). The highest concentration of BPA was found at the surrounding area of the wastewater treatment plant in Yen So (177 ng/l), followed by the Yen So lake (86.9 ng/l), To Lich and Nhue rivers (~80 ng/l), Lu, Set, Kim Nguu rivers (~60 ng/l) and the lowest level in West Lake (20.1 ng/l). The BPA levels in surface water were much lower than the predicted no-effect concentration (PNEC) which is used to assess the environmental risk to protect the aquatic organism from the European Union.