EU publishes updated health risk assessment on bisphenol-A

An updated risk assessment report for bisphenol A (BPA) covering just human health risks was finalised in April and has just been published by the European Commission. It raises concern about repeated dose systemic effects, reproductive toxicity and skin sensitivity risks in workers during the manufacture of BPA and epoxy resins. But it does not ask for any further measures to protect consumers or human health beyond those already being applied. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is currently reviewing the evidence on BPA safety following a proposal by the Canadian government to list BPA as toxic and ban the use of polycarbonate baby bottles which leach BPA during use. EFSA is due to report on its findings by July.

• BPA risk assessment report (human health)
• EFSA statement on BPA