Keywords: BPA policy, endocrine disruptor, low-dose effects, toxicity, tolerable daily intake.ENDOCRINE disorders like infertility, obesity, thyroid disorders, male and female reproductive abnormalities have been increasing in the recent past. These disorders have been identified as significant public health burdens affecting more than 5% of the US population. Disorders like diabetes mellitus, obesity, metabolic disorders, osteoporosis, osteopenia, erectile dysfunction in male and thyroiditis are found to be more prevalent among the US population 1 . A five-fold increase of endocrine disorders like infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), thyroid, amenorrhea, hyperprolactinemia, menopause and hormonal contraception in Indian women was reported 2 . Besides other causes, exposure to synthetic chemicals like agrochemicals, industrial chemicals including solvents, plastics and plasticizers is one of the reasons for such endocrine disruptions 3 . These chemical compounds potentially disrupt hormonal functions and are collectively called as endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs). These chemicals enter human body through oral ingestion, respiratory and/or dermal exposure. Through different mechanisms, EDCs bind to the hormonal receptors and affect the usual hormone actions. Bisphenol A (BPA) is one such synthetic chemical used largely in the manufacturing of polycarbonate (PC) plastics and epoxy resins. These PC plastics are widely used in various home appliances, such as kitchen wares, storage containers, etc.; thus exposure to humans is apparently high. BPA is leached into food substances under various circumstances via elevated temperature, longer storage or shelf-life, acidic pH, high pressure, etc. [3][4][5][6][7] . The repeated use of containers is also attributed to the high migration of this compound 8 . The potential endocrine-disrupting effects of this compound have been studied widely. Though many scientific evidences have been produced, the results vary on the level of toxicity of BPA on animal and human model systems. The governments, international monitoring agencies and various national level federal agencies are not certain about whether or not to restrict the use of this compound in food-contact materials. The dose responses showed that discrepancies lie across species level as the human testis model is more sensitive than that of rat and other animal model studies 9 . These discrepancies lead to a critical status quo where most experiments are conducted in rat and other animal models. To restrict the use of BPA in food-contact materials, we need conclusive evidence suggesting significant toxicity over hormone systems. This article intends to examine the position of developing countries especially India at present on the regulation of BPA.
