The first part of the draft opinion, that focussed on consumer exposure to BPA, was launched in July 2013. In the second part of the draft opinion, EFSA identified likely adverse effects on the liver and kidney and effects on the mammary gland as being linked to exposure to the chemical. EFSA therefore recommended that the current tolerable daily intake (TDI) be lowered from its current level of 50 µg/kg bw/ day (or 0.05 mg/kg/bw/day) to 5 µg/kg bw/day (0.005 mg/kg/bw/day). EFSA also noted that uncertainties remained over a number of other health hazards considered as less likely. As a result, the proposed TDI should be set on a temporary basis pending the outcome of research from the US National Toxicology Program (NTP) which will address many of these current uncertainties about the potential health effects of BPA. However, EFSA concluded that BPA poses a low health risk to consumers as exposure to the chemical is well-below the temporary TDI.
In order to show a commitment to transparency and openness, interested parties such as national risk assessment bodies have until 13 March 2014 to comment on EFSA's review and risk assessments of BPA. The public consultation will be followed up with a stakeholder meeting.
Since much of the science underpinning these conclusions is still developing, the draft opinion contains a number of uncertainties. EFSA will complete an assessment of these uncertainties in the final version of the opinion due to be published later in 2014. In addition, the results of the public consulation will be included.
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