1 SCIENTIFIC REPORTS | (2019) 9:17458 | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-53790-2 www.nature.com/scientificreports Bisphenol-A (BPA) in Foods commonly consumed in Southwest Nigeria and its Human Health Risk Adebola A. Adeyi 1,2* & Babafemi A. Babalola 1,2 Bisphenol-A (BPA) is a synthetic chemical ubiquitous in the environment and listed as an endocrine disruptor. It has the tendency of migrating into food stored in materials containing it. This study, therefore, determines the concentrations of BPA in foods commonly consumed in Southwest Nigeria by the adult population and also estimates the risk associated with human exposure. Eight diferent food categories were selected for this study. Standard QuEChERS protocol was used for sample extraction and analysed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Vegetable oil had the highest BPA concentration (28.4 ng/g). This was followed by aquatic canned fsh (26.3 ng/g), canned beef (21.3 ng/g) and crayfsh (17.5 ng/g). These concentrations were below the 600 ng/g limit of the European Commission for BPA in foods. Bisphenol-A was not detected in raw beef, chicken, cheese, apple, tomatoes, beans and rice; and chicken eggs. The adult population had an average dietary intake of 30.4 ng/kg bw/day. There is no likely occurrence of harmful health efects of BPA in the selected foods with respect to the current concentrations found therein. However, routine monitoring is recommended to prevent human exposure to BPA. Bisphenol-A, 4, 4′-dihydroxy-2, 2-diphenylpropane, is a synthetic organic compound obtained from the con- densation of acetone and phenol 1 and a high volume industrial chemical. It has drawn global attention in recent years 2 due to its ability to interfere with the functioning of endocrine systems. It is widely used in the production of polycarbonates in the manufacture of food storage containers including feeding and non-returnable bottles and various kitchen items; epoxy resins 3–6 used in the production of lacquers, the inner coating of food cans and ther- mal papers 7–10 ; personal care products including sunscreen lotions, facial lotions and cleanser, nail polish 8,11 and toys 12 . Plastic materials and articles intended for food 6,13 storage can release BPA during production, handling, packaging and transporting. Bisphenol-A (BPA) belongs to category 1 of Endocrine Disruptive Chemicals (EDCs) that is acutely toxic to living organisms 11,14 in relation to its clear evidence of endocrine disrupting activity 15 . Recent animal studies revealed that exposure to BPA led to obesity, thyroid dysfunction, and cardiovascular diseases 16 . BPA exposure has been reported to cause type 2 diabetes, leptin levels in pregnant mice and their ofspring 17 , and interfered with the glucose and lipid homeostasis in female mice and their ofspring 18 . Fetal reproductive system development in humans has been linked to maternal exposure to BPA 19 . Adverse efects of BPA on male reproductive func- tion 20–22 , disruption of thyroid function 23 , metabolic syndrome such as hypertension, insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus, and obesity 24,25 , and cardiovascular diseases 26 have been reported. In 2013, it was reported that exposure of children of ages 3, 5 and 7 to higher concentrations of BPA can lead to asthma development in the later years 27 . Humans are exposed to BPA via different sources which include water, effluent, air, dust and food 28–33 . However, diet is a critical route of BPA exposure by ingestion of water and food 34 that are contaminated. Bisphenol-A gets into foods mainly through leaching from the lining of beverage and food cans 35 . Foods are con- taminated with BPA probably in the course of production, handling, packaging, and transportation 36 . Exposure to BPA has been detected in low concentrations in non-food sources than that of food 37 . Te Consumer Reports magazine reported the level of BPA higher than the Food and Drug Administration ‘Cumulative Exposure Daily Intake’ limit when it was determined in some canned foods and beverages 38 . Research has also linked drinking from polycarbonate bottles to increased urinary BPA concentration 39 . 1 Department of Chemistry, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. 2 Basel Convention Coordinating Centre for Training and Technology Transfer for Africa Region, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. *email: bolaoketola@yahoo.com OPEN