Introduction: Many previous studies suggested that bisphenol A (BPA) exposure
could trigger insulin resistance (IR) and elevate the risk to develop type 2 diabetes
mellitus (T2DM). Aim of work: This research was done to detect IR prevalence and
risk to develop T2DM among non-diabetic BPA exposed workers involved in the
plastic industry. Materials and Methods: This work was conducted in a factory for
manufacturing polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes present in the 10th of Ramadan City,
Egypt. The study population involved an exposed group of 44 non-diabetic workers
occupationally-exposed to the plastics manufacturing process and a control group < br />of 46 non-diabetic matching administrative subjects. Full medical and occupational
histories in addition to clinical examination, were done. Fasting serum samples were
used to measure adiponectin, insulin, lipid profile parameters: Total cholesterol (TC),
Triglycerides (TG), Low-density lipoproteins (LDL), and High-density lipoproteins
(HDL) and BPA levels. Insulin resistance was evaluated using homeostasis model
assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Results: The study showed a statistically
significant increase in the levels of BPA, insulin, TC, TG and LDL, in addition to
HOMA-IR indices, and a statistically significant decrease in the levels of adiponectin
and HDL among BPA exposed workers compared to the control group. All measured
parameters of IR were significantly correlated with each other, with the BPA levels, and
with the duration of occupational exposure among the exposed workers. Conclusion:  Long-term occupational exposure to BPA in the plastic industry is accompanied by an
elevated risk of developing IR and hence T2DM.