Toxicological and Health Aspects of Bisphenol A

A Joint FAO/WHO Expert Meeting to Review the Toxicological and Health Aspects of Bisphenol

Paperback
March 2012
9789241564274
More details
  • Publisher
    World Health Organization
  • Published
    26th March 2012
  • ISBN 9789241564274
  • Language English
  • Pages 35 pp.
  • Size 8.25" x 10.75"
$24.00

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an industrial chemical that is widely used in the production of polycarbonate (PC) plastics (used in food contact materials, such as baby bottles and food containers) and epoxy resins (used as protective linings for canned foods and beverages and as a coating on metal lids for glass jars and bottles). These uses result in low level consumer exposure to BPA via the diet.

Although a large number of studies on the toxicity and hormonal activity of BPA in laboratory animals have been published, there have been considerable discrepancies in outcome among these studies with respect to both the nature of the effects observed as well as the levels at which they occur. This has led to controversy within the scientific community about the safety of BPA, as well as to considerable media attention.

In light of uncertainties about the possibility of adverse human health effects at low doses of BPA, especially on reproduction, the nervous system and behavioral development, and considering the relatively higher exposure of very young children compared with adults, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) jointly organized an Expert Meeting to assess the safety of BPA.

World Health Organization

World Health Organization is a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, charged to act as the world's directing and coordinating authority on questions of human health. It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries, and monitoring and assessing health trends.