Abstract:Objective To establish the aggregated exposure approach and to apply it in the assessment of potential health risk of bisphenol A (BPA) among Chinese infants aged 0-6 months as a model chemical. Methods Aggregated exposure approach was established by incorporating the oral, dermal and inhalation pathway. BPA concentration data of different exposure routes were obtained from literature, the consumption data of dietary and non-dietary routes were referred to the recommended intake of water by World Health Organization(WHO)(0-12 months), and the exposure factor handbook of Chinese population (0-5 years). The aggregated exposure level and potential health risks of the three feeding patterns were assessed, that is, breastfeeding, infant formula feeding with polycarbonate(PC) bottle, as well as infant formula feeding with BPA-free bottle. Internal BPA exposure was calculated by backward method and forward method. The internal result of two approaches were then compared. Results Daily BPA exposure ranged from 129.82 to 4 093.40 ng/kg BW for three feeding patterns. Except the high exposure for infant formula with PC baby bottle feeding pattern, other feeding patterns were all lower than the temporary-daily tolerable intake (t-TDI). For the total BPA (sum of conjugated and unconjugated BPA) intake, dietary exposure contributed the most, followed by textile. While for unconjugated BPA which was of toxicological concern, dietary exposure still contributed the most, followed by indoor air. The internal exposure calculated from the forward method and the backward method was similar. Conclusion Except the high BPA aggregated exposure for feeding pattern of infant formula with PC bottle, the mean and high exposure for other feeding patters were all below t-TDI, suggesting infants in China had low health risks exposed to BPA, while the use of PC baby bottles could increase the risk.