No consumer health risk from bisphenol A exposure

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical compound used in the manufacture of food contact materials such as re-usable plastic tableware and can coatings (mainly protective linings). Residues of BPA can migrate into food and beverages and be ingested by the consumer; BPA from other sources including thermal paper, cosmetics and dust can be absorbed through the skin and by inhalation.

In 2006, when EFSA last assessed dietary exposure to BPA, fewer data were available and EFSA’s experts were required to make several conservative assumptions about consumption and the levels of BPA in food. “With significantly more and better data we have updated and more accurately estimated dietary exposure to BPA for all population groups, said Dr Husøy. “As a result, we now know that dietary exposure is four to fifteen times lower than previously estimated by EFSA, depending on the age group.”

After weighing up a significant body of new scientific information on its toxic effects, EFSA concluded that high doses of BPA are likely to adversely affect the kidney and liver. It may also cause effects on the mammary gland in animals. Studies indicating BPA as the cause of other health effects were less conclusive, stated Dr Husøy. “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.”

EFSA also assessed the possibility that BPA results in unexpected responses to different doses, e.g. adverse effects that are only induced by low BPA doses (known as ‘non-monotonic dose-response’ or NMDR relationships). The experts concluded that the available data do not provide evidence of such relationships for the health effects considered.

For the first time, EFSA has also considered exposure to BPA from non-dietary sources. Dr Husøy underlined however: “There is a lack of supporting data on dermal exposure – for example, how much BPA the body absorbs through skin by touching thermal paper – which really increases the uncertainty of estimates from thermal paper and cosmetics”.

EFSA will reconsider the temporary Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) when the results of long-term research by the US National Toxicology Program are available for evaluation in two to three years. This research is expected to address many of the remaining uncertainties about BPA’s toxic effects.

• Scientific Opinion on the risks to public health related to the presence of bisphenol A (BPA) in foodstuffs
• Report on two public consultations on EFSA’s draft Scientific Opinion on BPA

EFSA has prepared a non-technical summary of its scientific opinion for ease of understanding and addresses additional aspects of this work in its Frequently Asked Questions on BPA.

• Lay summary of the Scientific Opinion on the risks to public health related to the presence of bisphenol A (BPA) in foodstuffs
• Frequently Asked Questions on bisphenol A

Related links:

• Text extracted from EFSA Press Release - 21 January 2015
• BPA world regulatory map