Water exposure to bisphenol A and its chlorinated derivatives and links with breast cancer: feasibility study BREDI I (Breast and Endocrine Disrupter Investigation Part 1)
There is a relationship between exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and animal carcinogenesis. However, epidemiological data are insufficient. Bisphenol A (BPA) is a ubiquitous EDC present in drinking water. Its chlorinated derivatives (Clx-BPA) are suspected to have an ED action 100 times stronger than BPA itself. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of a trial about water exposure to BPA and Clx-BPA in a population of patients having breast surgery. The study was conducted at the University Hospital of Poitiers in three populations of women having breast surgery and classified according to the severity of their injury. Three methods to assess water exposure were explored: determination in biological matrices, in tap water and administration of a validated socio-demographic questionnaire for water exposure. The primary endpoint was the concentration of compounds in water or biological matrices and the amount of water provided by oral and dermal routes according to the questionnaire. In drinking water samples, BPA was quantified for every patient (116 ± 162 ng∙L‐1). Clx-BPA concentrations were 1.85 ± 0.70 g∙L‐1. Urinary BPA concentrations were 2.6 ng∙mL‐1 preoperatively and 3.8 ± 5.5 ng∙mL‐1 postoperatively; CLx-BPA have not been quantified. In breast adipose tissue, BPA was found at 1.265 ± 0.058 ng∙g‐1, whereas BPA and BPA-Clx were only found two times. This study demonstrated the feasibility of BPA and Clx-BPA determinations in biological matrices and tap water. Performing a multicenter cohort study would allow an investigation of the relationship between exposure to EDCs and breast cancer.