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A STUDY OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION: EXPANDING BIRD SPECIES REPRESENTATION FOR BISPHENOLA (BPA) TESTING**

Abstract

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical intermediate in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Due to its hydrogen bonding potential, BPA is soluble in water and thus disperses throughout contaminated water sources. It is also lipophilic, meaning it has the potential to bind to and accumulate in tissues. Therefore, its presence in the environment is widespread, posing risks to organisms and their reproduction. BPA functions as an endocrine disruptor, specifically a xenoestrogen, resulting in decreased levels of testosterone and feminization of organisms. Additionally, BPA functions as a carcinogen and has a known association with neurodegeneration, diabetes, and hepatotoxicity. The focus of our study is to report BPA concentrations in deceased wild birds. The goal in doing so is to increase the number of avian species tested for BPA. Birds are well suited for studies investigating environmental pollutants because, due to their worldwide distribution and specialized ecological niches, they often serve as bioindicators of overall environmental health. Given this role, understanding the degree of contamination in these bioindicators is a necessary step in examining the extent of environmental pollution in natural habitats. To determine concentration, we conducted a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). So far, we have successfully increased the number of bird species sampled for BPA from 4 to 45 species worldwide. We anticipate testing at least 6 more species in the next couple of months and look forward to summarizing our data.

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