Brussels, 26/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - Although food is the main source of exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) - a chemical compound banned in baby bottles since January 2011 - thermal paper is a potentially significant source of exposure, mainly through cash register receipts, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) stated on Thursday 25 July. This is one of the major lessons learned from a preliminary scientific survey on public health risks from BPA, which makes a complete reassessment of exposure to this substance through dietary sources, as well as through non-dietary sources (including thermal paper, air and dust).
For all population groups above three years of age, thermal paper was the second most important source of BPA after diet (potentially accounting for up to 15% of total exposure in some population groups), states the review subject to public consultation by all stakeholders until 15 September.
On the basis of new scientific data gathered since the first review in 2006, EFSA affirms that exposure to BPA through dietary sources is lower than initially estimated. For infants and toddlers (aged 6 months-3 years), average exposure from the diet is estimated to amount to 375 nanograms per kilogram of body weight per day (ng/kg bw/day), whereas for the population above 18 years of age, the figure is up to 132 ng/kg bw/day. By comparison, these estimates are less than 1% of the current tolerable daily intake (TDI) for BPA established by EFSA in 2006 (0.05 milligrams/kg bw/day).
Among other key findings, scientists found dietary exposure to BPA to be the highest among children aged three to ten (explainable by their higher food consumption on a body weight basis). Canned food and non-canned meat and meat products were identified as major contributors to dietary BPA exposure for all age groups.
EFSA's preliminary opinion was prepared by the EFSA scientific panel on food contact materials, enzymes, flavourings and processing aids (CEF Panel). The final opinion is due in November (see EUROPE 19818). (AN/transl.jl)