Evaluation of the potential health risks of substances migrating from polycarbonate replacement baby bottles

• Published in: Food and chemical toxicology Vol. 97; pp. 108 - 119
• Main Authors: Mertens, Birgit, Van Hoeck, Els, Blaude, Marie-Noëlle, Simon, Coraline, Onghena, Matthias, Vandermarken, Tara, Van Langenhove, Kersten, Demaegdt, Heidi, Vandermeiren, Karin, Covaci, Adrian, Scippo, Marie-Louise, Elskens, Marc, Van Loco, Joris
• Format: Journal Article Web Resource
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2016; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Air Pollutants, Occupational - toxicity; Benzhydryl Compounds - toxicity; Bisphenol A; Bottle Feeding - adverse effects; Bottle Feeding - instrumentation; bottles; Endocrine disruptors; Endocrine Disruptors - adverse effects; Endocrine Disruptors - analysis; Endocrine Disruptors - chemistry; Food contact materials; Food Contamination - analysis; Food science; Humans; Infant; Life sciences; manufacturing; Migration; Phenols - toxicity; Plasticizers - adverse effects; Plasticizers - analysis; Plasticizers - chemistry; Plastics - chemistry; Polycarboxylate Cement - chemistry; Polymers - chemistry; risk; Risk Assessment; Sciences des denrées alimentaires; Sciences du vivant; Threshold of toxicological concern; toxicity; toxicology; Endocrine disruptors; Bisphenol A; Threshold of toxicological concern; Food contact materials; Migration; Risk assessment
• ISSN: 0278-6915; 1873-6351; 1873-6351
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2016.08.019

Since the European Commission prohibited the use of bisphenol A in the production of polycarbonate (PC) baby bottles, many other materials have replaced PC for the manufacture of this type of food contact materials. In the present study, the potential migration risks associated with these alternative materials were investigated. First, all substances were evaluated for endocrine disruptive (ED) activity by using different existing lists of (suspected) ED chemicals. Next, the potential non-ED risks were assessed. A distinction was made between migrants listed in Annex I of European Regulation 10/2011 and the unlisted substances (e.g. non-intentionally added substances). For the listed substances, concentrations in the migration solutions were compared to their respective specific migration limits (SML) (when applicable). Migration of all substances was shown to be below their SML. The unlisted substances were evaluated using toxicological information from previous evaluations, or if not available, by applying the Threshold of Toxicological Concern (TTC) approach. In case the estimated exposure to the unlisted substance exceeded the human exposure TTC value, a more indepth risk assessment was performed. Based on the results of both parts of the study, four baby bottles were considered of high concern because of the potential toxicity of migrating compounds. •Investigation of potential health risks of migrants from PC replacement baby bottles.•Based on existing lists of EDs, 3 baby bottles were considered of high concern.•Based on the TTC approach, 2 baby bottles were considered of high concern.•After combining this information, 4 baby bottles were considered of high concern.