Untitled

Abstract

Bisphenol A (BPA) is used in the manufacture of plastics, to produce reusable drinking bottles, infant feeding bottles and other food storage containers. EFSA was asked to evaluate a dietary developmental neurotoxicity study in rats (Stump, 2009) and recent scientific literature (2007)(2008)(2009)(2010) in terms of relevance for the risk assessment of BPA. The impact of these studies on the current Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) of 0.05 mg BPA/kg body weight (b.w.)/day as set by EFSA in 2006 was assessed. Advice on the Danish risk assessment underlying the Danish ban of BPA in food contact materials for infants aged 0-3 years is included. Overall, based on this comprehensive evaluation of recent toxicity data, the Panel on food contact materials, enzymes, flavourings and processing aids (CEF) concluded that no new study could be identified, which would call for a revision of the current TDI. This TDI is based on the No-Observed-Adverse-Effect-Level (NOAEL) of 5 mg/kg b.w./day from a multi-generation reproductive toxicity study in rats, and the application of an uncertainty factor of 100. This factor is regarded as conservative based on all information on BPA toxicokinetics. The Panel noted that some studies conducted on developing animals have suggested other BPA-related effects of possible toxicological relevance, in particular biochemical changes in brain, immune-modulatory effects and enhanced susceptibility to breast tumours. These studies had several shortcomings. At present the relevance of these findings for human health cannot be assessed. Should any new relevant data become available in the future, the Panel will reconsider this opinion. A minority opinion is expressed by a Panel member and presented in an Annex to this opinion. © European Food Safety Authority, 2010 KEY WORDSBisphenol A, BPA, CAS No. 00080-05-7, developmental toxicity, neurobehaviour, low dose effects. In order to provide a global view on the risk assessment of Bisphenol A, the CEF Panel decided to address the three mandates as given above in a single opinion and postponed the adoption of this comprehensive document to 23 rd September 2010.The three different questions raised by the Commission are dealt with in three different parts (PARTS I to III) of the opinion. PART IV presents an overview of the conclusions from PARTS I to III, together with an overall conclusion. PART IThe GLP compliant study by Stump (2009) was performed according to OECD guideline 426 to address any uncertainty regarding potential neurodevelopmental effects of BPA. BPA was administered daily in the diet at concentrations of 0, 0.15, 1.5, 75, 750, and 2250 mg/kg feed to female Sprague-Dawley rats from gestational day (GD) 0 to postnatal day (PND) 21. The relative estimated intakes (in mg/kg b.w./day) were 0, 0.01, 0.12, 5.85, 56.4 and 164 during gestation and 0, 0.03, 0.25, 13.1, 129 and 410 during lactation. The CEF Panel considers this treatment schedule as relevant to human exposure in utero and via either breastfeeding or infant bottle feeding (in this...