The usage, occurrence and dietary intakes of white mineral oils and waxes in Europe

• Published in: Food and chemical toxicology Vol. 42; no. 3; pp. 481 - 492
• Main Author: Tennant, D.R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2004; New York, NY Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Child, Preschool; coatings; Data Collection; Diet Surveys; Environmental Exposure - statistics & numerical data; Europe; Exposure; Food additives; Food Additives - analysis; food intake; food packaging; food processing equipment; Food toxicology; health effects assessments; Humans; hydrocarbons; Infant; Intake; Medical sciences; Microcrystalline waxes; Mineral hydrocarbons; mineral oil; Mineral Oil - analysis; packaging materials; packaging materials migration; Paraffin; paraffin wax; petroleum; Risk assessment; Risk Assessment - statistics & numerical data; risk factors; synthetic products; toxic substances; Toxicology; wax esters; Waxes - analysis; White oils; Europe; Usage; Food additives; Risk assessment; White oils; Intake; Exposure; Mineral hydrocarbons; Paraffin; Microcrystalline waxes; Human; White oil; Agricultural chemical product; Oral administration; Petroleum product; Mineral oil; Food additive; Wax; Packaging; Daily dose
• ISSN: 0278-6915; 1873-6351
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2003.10.011

Dietary exposures to mineral hydrocarbons were estimated from information about patterns of usage, concentrations in foods and quantities of foods consumed. An industry survey showed that the largest usage of food-grade white mineral oils was in plastics manufacture although the majority are used in non-food applications. The largest volumes of wax usage were in packaging. Conservative estimates indicated that daily intakes of white mineral oils ranged from 0.39 to 0.91 mg/kg bw/day for adults and from 0.75 to 1.77 mg/kg bw/day for children (mean and 97.5th percentiles). Total wax intakes ranged from 0.08 to 0.19 mg/kg bw/day for adults and 0.23 to 0.64 mg/kg bw/day for pre-school children. When usage factors were applied, estimates of chronic intakes of white oils were reduced to 0.09–0.20 mg/kg bw/day for adults and to 0.17–0.39 mg/kg bw/day for children. Total wax intakes were reduced to 0.01–0.02 mg/kg bw/day for adults and to 0.02–0.06 mg/kg bw/day for children. For white mineral oils the principal source of exposure for most consumers was imported de-dusted grain. The principal source of potential wax exposure was from glazing agents on confectionery. There was no evidence of intakes exceeding SCF ADIs for microcrystalline waxes or certain white mineral oils and levels of exposure were similar to those of naturally-occurring mineral hydrocarbons in foods.