Applied Technical Services performs BPA Testing for Plastics on behalf of a variety of client interests. Our equipment can detect BPA’s presence in a sample at a detection limit of 100 parts-per-trillion (PPT).
Bisphenol-A
Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a chemical compound, often used as an ingredient in plastics like polycarbonates and epoxy resins. It is a regularly-occurring component of discs like CDs and DVDs, plastic water bottles, merchant receipts, some household electronics, medical and dental devices, eyeglass lenses, and the lining of canned foods and drinks. Adding BPA to a polymer during the production phase can vastly increase the product’s durability, making it nearly shatterproof.
BPA is also a suspected carcinogen. Some studies have linked the compound to an assortment of health effects, including increased risks of cancer and reproductive toxicity. BPA is a regulated compound for these reasons and is monitored by the World Health Organization, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the European Union, among other regulatory bodies. Many states have enacted regulatory requirements/limits on BPA in baby bottles and food containers.
Proposition 65
One of the most stringent restrictions is imposed by California’s Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, better known as Proposition 65. This law requires businesses to place a warning label on products containing chemicals above the threshold to warn consumers of exposure. California establishes a Maximum Allowable Dose Level (MADL) for many of the items on the Prop 65 list. It is then the responsibility of the manufacturer/importer to determine if consumers are exposed to chemicals above the limit and affix a warning label to the product. Without the proper warning label, a business is exposed to potential legal ramifications.
Bisphenol-A Regulations
The MADL for BPA by dermal contact is 3 micrograms per day, and there is no established MADL for oral ingestion. ATS partners with our clients to help ensure compliance by performing 3rd party testing on product components to determine the BPA content. Following BPA testing, it is sometimes necessary to perform an exposure assessment to determine if a warning label is needed to warn customers of exposure. ATS collaborates with toxicologists to facilitate the exposure assessment.
ATS’ Method of BPA Testing for Plastics
ATS performs BPA testing for plastics to keep clients’ products compliant with strict government regulations like Prop 65. We can discover the BPA content of your sample down to 100 parts-per-trillion level. ATS’ expert chemists use Liquid-Chromatography/Mass-Spectroscopy (LC/MS/MS) and internally developed ATS Method 367 to determine the quantity of BPA content. ATS can determine both the total and leachable content. The leachable content analysis is conducted using an artificial sweat solution. Our lab is ISO/IEC 17025:2017 (A2LA) Accredited to perform this testing method to ATS Method 367.
ATS and Toxicant Analysis
For over 50 years, ATS has provided world-class testing, inspection, and consulting engineering services to clients from a variety of industries. Our lab gets you back to work faster by returning the accurate, relevant information you need in a timely manner. ATS partners with manufacturers/importers, legal professionals, toxicologists, and consumer advocacy groups to ensure Proposition 65 compliance. Whatever the purpose, let us handle your BPA testing needs today – We take a closer look!
