Brussels, 21/01/2015 (Agence Europe) - At current exposure levels, bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical compound which can potentially induce toxicity in the liver, kidneys and mammary glands in humans and in mammary glands in animals, poses no health risk to consumers of any age group (including unborn children, infants and adolescents), the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concludes in a comprehensive scientific opinion published on Wednesday 21 January.
The full re-evaluation of BPA exposure and toxicity led EFSA scientific experts to conclude that exposure to BPA diet or from a combination of sources (diet, dust, cosmetics and thermal paper) is considerably under the “tolerable daily intake” or TDI.
The opinion, drafted by the expert Panel dealing with food contact materials (CEF Panel), confirms the preliminary opinion published by EFSA in January 2014 (see EUROPE 10999) and updates the 2006 assessment of dietary exposure risk, taking account of new scientific information on the toxic effects of BPA and information gathered during the public consultation launched by EFSA.
Although new data and refined methodologies have led EFSA's experts to considerably reduce the safe level of BPA from 50 micrograms per kilogram of body weight per day (µg/kg of bw/day) to 4 µg/kg of bw/day, the highest estimates for dietary exposure and for exposure from a combination of sources (called “aggregated exposure” in EFSA's opinion) are three to five times lower than the new TDI, state the EFSA experts.
Uncertainties surrounding potential health effects of BPA on the mammary gland, reproductive, metabolic, neurobehavioural and immune systems have been quantified and factored in to the calculation of the TDI. In addition, the TDI is temporarily pending the outcome of a long-term study in rats, which will help to reduce these uncertainties. In the opinion they deliver, the CEP Panel experts concluded that high doses of BPA (hundreds of times above the TDI) are likely to adversely affect the kidney and liver and may also cause effects on the mammary gland in animals.
“Effects on the reproductive, nervous, immune, metabolic and cardiovascular systems, as well as in the development of cancer are not considered likely at present but they could not be excluded on the available evidence. So, they add to the overall uncertainty about BPA-related hazards and therefore have been considered in the assessment” says Dr Trine Husoy, a member of the CEF Panel and chair of the BPA working group, in a press release.
Bisphenol A, which is used as a monomer in the manufacture of polycarbonate (PC) plastics, epoxy resins and other polymeric materials, as well as for certain paper products, is known to be toxic for reproduction and to be an endocrine disruptor. Its use has been banned in babies' bottles since 2011.
PC is used in food contact materials present in food and liquid containers, such as re-useable plastic tableware, and in protective linings for food and beverage cans, and is commonly used in thermal paper for sales receipts. BPA residue can migrate into food and beverages and be ingested by the consumer.
BPA from non-food sources such as thermal paper, cosmetics and dust, can be absorbed through the skin or by inhalation. (AN)