[January 28, 2014]

Study by Swedish Researchers Confirms No BPA Found in Human Blood

A new study published in Environment International by researchers in Sweden confirms previous reports that bisphenol A (BPA) in human blood is below the levels that can be detected. In addition to confirming results from earlier studies that found BPA in human blood at non-detectable levels, the new Swedish study went a step further. The study also demonstrated the level of effort required to avoid contamination and suggested that early studies showing BPA in blood samples were almost certainly overstated due to sample contamination.

"It's been well documented that BPA is very quickly metabolized and removed from the body, which is why previous results showing high levels of BPA in human blood samples were difficult to understand," said Dr. John M. Rost, NAMPA Chairman. "The Swedish study, along with other recently published studies (Teagarden, et al.), confirms that BPA is not in blood and explains how it could have been found in early studies. Specifically, the Swedish study has validated the fact that sample contamination is extremely difficult to remove and any study that does not take this into consideration needs to be scrutinized for its ability to produce valid results."

Dr. Rost noted that these results provide further scientific evidence to support the positions taken by regulatory bodies around the globe, which repeatedly have concluded that current uses of BPA in food conact applications are safe. Those regulatory bodies include:

• European Food Safety Authority (EFSA): January 2014 -- "…the oral exposure in all age groups (including all infants and toddler groups) was more than 5-fold below the proposed t-TDI (News - Alert), indicating no health concern from oral exposure…," http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/consultations/call/140117.pdf.
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA): March 2013 -- "FDA's current assessment is that BPA is safe at the very low levels that occur in some foods," http://www.fda.gov/newsevents/publichealthfocus/ucm064437.htm.
• Health Canada: September 2012 -- "…based on the overall weight of evidence, the findings of the previous assessment remain unchanged and Health Canada's Food Directorate continues to conclude that current dietary exposure to BPA through food packaging uses is not expected to pose a health risk to the general population, including newborns and young children," http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/securit/packag-emball/bpa/bpa_hra-ers-2012-09-eng.php.

About NAMPA

The North American Metal Packaging Alliance, Inc., and its members support sound science and trust the scientific review process that has protected our food supply for decades. For further information, visit www.metal-pack.org.

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]