Why The Chemical Bisphenol A ( Bpa ) Has Effects On Atlantic Croaker Fish

The problem with plastic ending up in the ocean is that marine life is being harmed by the presence of it. A study done on the harbor seals in the Netherlands found that more than 12% had plastic in the digestive system (California Coastal Commission). The list of affected species indicates that marine debris is affecting a significant number of species. It affects at least 267 species worldwide, including 86% of all sea turtle species, 44% of all seabird species, and 43% of all marine mammal species (Save our shores). The problem is underestimated because the marine life that ingests plastic or dies from entanglement often goes undiscovered due to the vastness of the ocean, as they either sink or are eaten by predators before they are discovered (Plastic Debris). The potential harm from ingestion of plastics is not restricted to seabirds. Plastic bags drifting on ocean currents resemble the prey of turtles. There is evidence that their survival is being hindered by plastic debris with young sea turtles being vulnerable (Ocean pollution). Over the past 20 years polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) have polluted marine food webs at an increasing rate, and are prevalent in seabirds. Though their adverse effects may not always be apparent, PCBs lead to reproductive disorders, increase the risk of disease and alter hormone levels. These chemicals have a detrimental effect on marine organisms even at very low levels and plastic pellets could be a route for PCBs into marine food

Bioassays, Daphnia magna, were used to monitor water for the presence of toxic compounds in various water samples, including samples 1 mile upstream from the Fletcher’s Paint dump site and one mile downstream. A bioassay is a living organism that serves as a detector for toxins. It is hypothesized that if the Daphnia mortality rate when exposed to water samples from various locations is higher in greater solutions, then their deaths' indicate that the water contains toxic compounds due to the harmful toxins that originated from human pollution. This is the same hypothesis for the Fletcher’s Paint experiment.

The overall food contamination by Bisphenol A is unknown, but the nutrition/ health impact of this chemical is an important subject to be discussed for all individuals. The main aim of one study recently analyzed was to assess the reproductive impact of BPA leached from regularly available polycarbonate plastic containers. The bottles specifically chosen for testing were those that were used by children. The migration of BPA occurs in polycarbonate plastics (i.e. water bottles and baby bottles). Toxicology reports show society the importance of evaluating these products before purchase and consumption as a consumer. For a particular experiment, researchers used Daphnia Magna, a small flea that cleans and absorbs particles that infect the solution they are placed in, and bred them in the polycarbonate containers. A control group was created using water bottles without the infection of these creatures. A GC-MS machine to detect the level of BPA released by each polycarbonate plastic then evaluated the water. An increase in the reproduction of BPA was detected when the Daphnia Magna were bred inside the container. Although these organisms effected the leaching of Bisphenol A, the GC-MS was able to detect, through the control group, that BPA is released without DM. An Eco toxicological effect was observed through all of this testing, and provided evidence to substantiate the fact that Bisphenol A is leached from polycarbonate plastics. The BPA was further analyzed in the Daphnia

These chemicals are known to cause cancer. To recondition this issue, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration monitors the levels of PAHs in the Gulf Coast seafood. It works with NOAA, the EPA, and the state agencies to determine whether the fish are safe to open or whether it should be closed. It must pass a smell test and chemical analysis in order to be reopened. Moreover, the fish couldn’t be sent to the market if it contained high levels of PAHs or if it emits an odor that associates with petroleum or dispersants. As a result, people didn’t need to worry about gaining cancer from fish since they are being checked for plycyclic aromatic

Chemical compounds that are commonly heard of today such as BPA (bisphenol A) is a toxic compound found mostly in plastics and then are dumped into oceans that begin to poison our waters where humans, but mostly animals drink and ingest through the nose. (Barry, 2009). Another toxic chemical such as PVC (polyvinyl chloride) can be harmful to animals on land and in sea can leak from plastic water bottles. This intoxicates the water where animals drink and swim, causing them to grow ill and maybe even die. (Breast Cancer Fund, http://www.breastcancerfund.org/clear-science/environmental-breast-cancer-links/plastics/?referrer=https://www.google.com/) By eliminating much of the plastics consumption that ends up in the oceans, we will prevent animals and humans also from being affected by the harmful chemicals being produced.

Undoubtedly, the most egregious offender to the overall environmental health and stability of Benicia's waterways is the Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet, otherwise known as the “mothballed” fleet. This collection of decrepit, rusting vessels has been plaguing the beautiful waters of our Bay Area delta for more than sixty years. Ever since these ships were decommissioned at the end of World War II, they been left stagnant in our backyard, resulting in numerous environmental concerns. For example, various heavy metals such as lead and anti-fouling agents pollute our waters when paint peels off the ships' hulls, thus exposing the natural wildlife to dangerous compounds. Additionally, polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, and other hazardous substances have been released, which can cause rashes if eaten by humans and liver damage or even death if consumed by animals. Thankfully, recent efforts have been made to better maintain the fleet and protect our native species, and the entire reserve is scheduled to be sold or scrapped by February 2017.

The ocean’s vast marine life is dying more and more each year due to plastic. Over 100,000 marine animals die each year from plastic entanglement and ingestion says Gianna Andrews, author of the 2012 “Plastic in our Oceans Affecting Human Health” on ser.carlton. Chemicals in the plastic are also intoxicating the marine life. Reducing the use of plastic could save thousands of sea animals and make our ocean a cleaner place. There are many questions concerning our ocean, like how much plastic is in our ocean? What are the effects? How do we stop it? These questions will be answered by explaining and describing our ocean’s plastic.

Arguments in favor of BPA’s continued commercial use center on the assertion that each exposure is so minimal that the lifetime risk to human health is not serious enough to call for a ban on a chemical with a variety of commercial applications. While the argument appears to focus on degree of exposure rather than on a debate about whether or not chemicals do, in fact, have the potential to leach, vulnerabilities in certain individuals make the specific “safe” exposure level difficult to identify definitively.

Generally containing about 150 ppm, killer whales are known to have numerous issues due to these high levels of contaminants (3). Seals have been known to have immune complications when carrying less than 10 ppm PCBs (3). Hence, orcas are heavily effected, facing a shorter life expectancy, birth defects, chromosomal issues, and cancer (4). Unfortunately, salmon is one of the top contributors to the pollution in orcas, and a food source for the majority of humans. In consequence, people are at risk for the same negative effects of biomagnification as orcas. For this reason, there is often a recommended limit on seafood consumption. Some examples of PCBs’ effects on humans are cancer and development problems

When we look at the fish along the Strait we seem to see the same results. In a study done on Toxic Contaminants in Dungeness Crab (2014), they found mercury and PCB’s or Polychlorinated Biphenyls in multiple different species of fish, two of the species being Chinook and Coho, which is consumed by community’s along the Sound (Carey, Niewolny, Lanksbury & West). PCB’s were used for electrical equipment in the past. The manufacturing of PCB’s was stopped in 1977. However, there is evidence that shows PCB builds up in the environment ("PCBs"). This shows the impact waste can have decades after it has been mitigated, and why it is important to stop any further damage.

There are a lot of problems with using plastic water bottles. One of those problems is Bisphenol A (BPA). A lot of health problems have been heavily linked to BPA, including brain problems, premature birth, less fertility in women, defects in newborn babies, and some types of cancer. There was a study which showed that 96% of women had BPA in their bodies. Water bottles also have phthalates. Phthalates are used to make polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which makes bottles more flexible. However, it does harm to the human body. PVC has a chemical called dioxin, which disrupts the human reproductive system, as well as messing up the hormones of the endocrine system.

To put this in perspective, if ten small fish who ate a single piece of microplastics are consumed by a single larger fish, that large fish will then have all ten of the pieces of plastic that the smaller fish ate earlier. Not only does the larger fish have the pieces of plastic in its body, it also has a concentrated amount of chemicals that come along with the plastics. If marine animals are higher in the food web, the more concentrated the chemicals are within the organisms along with all of the pieces of plastic the previous organisms has consumed, this concept is called biomagnification. Humans are also heavily impacted as well. Due to the fact that fish is the world's primary source of protein, meaning that when we consume fish we are potentially as well consuming the tiny pieces of plastics and highly concentrated chemicals. The Environmental Protection Agency agrees that bioaccumulation has integrated itself into the human food web, which could result in malfunctions of the kidneys, liver, and the nervous system. It may also contribute to the development of cancer. In the United States alone, there are an estimated 75,000 chemicals that need further research, before any conclusions can be made regarding the chemicals

When looking at the ocean pollution caused by people it impacts animals and ourselves as humans. For many years, the unregulated dumping of chemicals, toxins and other waste directly into lakes, rivers, streams and oceans triggered disease and other risks to humans and wildlife(Calhoun 89). This can affect

Due to their regurgitation ability; most studies have focused on the ingestion of plastic pollution by bird, this does little harm to birds used in the studies. The effects of ingestible plastic on fish have not been studied as thoroughly and no studies have been conducted on filter-feeding organisms, which do not possess a feeding mechanism which would allow them to distinguish between plastic and plankton. Plastic pollution is only getting worse due to increasing population of developing countries. A wide variety of marine species is known to be harmed by plastic debris. This could threaten the survival of certain species, especially since many are sadly endangered by other types of anthropogenic actions.

PCB’s (polychlorinated biphenyls) and dioxins have been in focus recently as there are concerns that the different structures are appearing to mimic the effects of female oestrogenic hormones. (Gray 1996) These chemicals can cause genetic chromosomal problems and major concerns to the reproductive effectiveness of marine animals. Oil spills and the burning of wood and coal can cause poly-aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which has a negative effect on all wildlife causing genetic abnormalities. (EMCBTAP-ENVIS Newsletter 2002).