Identification and estrogenic characterization of impurities in commercial bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE)

A sample of commercial BADGE was fractioned by HPLC and eight impurities including novel propyl derivatives (2), (5) and (6) were identified by NMR spectrometry, FAB–MS and GC–MS. The estrogenicity, both agonist and antagonist, of fractions containing these impurities was measured with a yeast two-hybrid assay incorporating the human (hERα) and a competitive binding assay for hERα (ELISA). In the yeast two-hybrid assay, estrogenic antagonist activity was found in two fractions, while estrogenic agonist activity was not found in any. In the ELISA method, the binding affinity to hERα was found in three fractions. It is probable that a comprehensive assessment of the estrogenic properties of commercial BADGE, and their implications for human health, will require examination of all its components as described here.