Temporal (2012–2021), Age, and Sex Trends in Exposure to Bisphenols, Antimicrobials, and Parabens in the Australian General Population

Temporal as well as age- and sex-related
trends in human
exposure
to bisphenols, triclosan (TCS), triclocarban (TCC), and parabens were
assessed using pooled urine samples (n = 150), representing
approximately 14,000 individuals from the general Australian population,
collected between 2012–13 and 2020–21. The arithmetic
mean concentration of bisphenol A (BPA) decreased approximately by
50% from 2012–13 to 2020–21, while the bisphenol S (BPS)
concentration doubled, indicating a gradual substitution of BPA with
BPS in production and usage patterns. Both antimicrobial agentsTCS
and TCCexhibited decreasing trends from 2012–13 to
2020–21. In contrast, concentrations of the predominant parabensmethylparaben,
ethylparaben, and propylparaben (PrP)remained relatively stable
over the past decade, reflecting their continued uses. TCS and TCC
concentrations were generally higher in adults, whereas paraben concentrations
were consistently higher in children. For BPA and BPS, all 2020–21
sample pools exceeded health-based reference values, indicating potential
health concerns for the Australian population on average. Estimated
daily intakes for PrP in samples of 0–15-year-old children
frequently surpassed the reference value, suggesting a persistent
exposure risk that has continued over the past decade. Overall, urinary
concentrations of the target biomarkers in the Australian population
were among the highest reported globally.