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BPA CONCENTRATION IN WILD BIRDS VS REHABILITATING BIRDS**

Abstract

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical widely used to make polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, which are used in many daily items. As these items degrade in the environment, BPA can leach out and impact wildlife, such as birds, at harmful levels. BPA is an endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC) that interferes with hormone function. There is legislation in place to protect humans, such as BPA bans in baby bottles and sippy cups. Unlike humans, however, wild birds are not protected from BPA exposure. Previous studies have demonstrated that when birds are exposed to BPA, it negatively affects their physical development, fertility, and behavior. Wild birds, such as common backyard birds that live closer to humans would be repeatedly exposed to BPA due to ingestion of small plastic fragments. That trend, however, might be different for birds in the closest contact with humans, such as in medical facilities, where they would benefit from BPA legislation. Our study investigated BPA in six common to backyard bird species whose remains were donated by a bird rehabilitation center. We hypothesized that BPA levels would be lower the longer the bird was in the facility. We divided birds into two groups. The first group consisted of birds that died immediately, representing wild bird populations. The other group consisted of birds that were treated in rehabilitation center for more than 10 days. We removed the digestive system of the birds, because the most common way birds are exposed to BPA is through oral consumption. We processed our samples using a BPA competitive ELISA analysis. We have completed about 75% of our sample collection and analyses, and our final dataset will allow us to determine if the time spent in the rehabilitation center has an impact on the BPA concentration in birds.

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