Gitte Alsing Pedersen

Bisphenol A and its structural analogues in household waste paper

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an industrial chemical produced in large volumes. Its main use is associated with polycarbonate plastic, epoxy resins and thermal paper. In contrast to other applications, thermal paper contains BPA in its un-reacted form as an additive, which is subjected to migration. Receiving a significant amount of attention from the scientific community and beyond, due to its controversial endocrine-disrupting effects, the industry is attempting to substitute BPA in variety of applications. Alternative phenolic compounds have been proposed for use in thermal paper; however, information to what extent BPA alternatives have been used in paper is sparse. The aim of the present work was to quantify BPA and its alternatives (bisphenol S (BPS), bisphenol E (BPE), bisphenol B (BPB), 4-cumylphenol (HPP) and bisphenol F (BPF)) in waste paper and board from Danish households, thermal paper receipts, non-carbon copy paper and conventional printer paper. BPA was found in all waste paper samples analysed, while BPS was identified in 73% of them. Only BPB was not identified in any of the samples. BPA and BPS were found in the majority of the receipts, which contained no measurable concentrations of the remaining alternatives. Although receipts showed the highest concentrations of BPA and BPS, office paper, flyers and corrugated boxes, together with receipts, represented the major flux of the two compounds in waste paper streams.

Low-dose effects of bisphenol A on early sexual development in male and female rats

Bisphenol A (BPA) is widely detected in human urine and blood. BPA has been reported to impair many endpoints for reproductive and neurological development; however, it is controversial whether BPA has effects in the microgram per kilogram dose range. The aim of the current study was to examine the influence of BPA on early sexual development in male and female rats at dose levels covering both regulatory no observed adverse effect levels (NOAELs) (5 and 50 mg/kg bw per day) as well as doses in the microgram per kilogram dose range (0.025 and 0.25 mg/kg bw per day). Time-mated Wistar rats (n=22) were gavaged during pregnancy and lactation from gestation day 7 to pup day 22 with 0, 0.025, 0.25, 5 or 50 mg/kg bw per day BPA. From 0.250 mg/kg and above, male anogenital distance (AGD) was significantly decreased, whereas decreased female AGD was seen from 0.025 mg/kg bw per day and above. Moreover, the incidence of nipple retention in males appeared to increase dose relatedly and the increase was statistically significant at 50 mg/kg per day. No significant changes in reproductive organ weights in the 16-day-old males and females and no signs of maternal toxicity were seen. The decreased AGD at birth in both sexes indicates effects on prenatal sexual development and provides new evidence of low-dose adverse effects of BPA in rats in the microgram per kilogram dose range. The NOAEL in this study is clearly below 5 mg/kg for BPA, which is used as the basis for establishment of the current tolerable daily intake (TDI) by EFSA; thus a reconsideration of the current TDI of BPA appears warranted.

Beverages as a source of toxic trace element intake

Beverages of different kinds have been investigated for their content of lead, cadmium, nickel, chromium, arsenic and mercury. About a ten times higher lead concentration was found in wine than in most other beverages. Cocoa was high in cadmium and nickel and some vegetable juices contained high levels of nickel. The daily intake of trace elements from beverages was estimated. Wine was still the most significant source of lead even if the bottles did not have lead capsules. By consumption of half a bottle per day the daily intake of lead would be doubled and it would contribute 12% of Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake. Cocoa is an important source of cadmium and nickel, and consumption of tea as well as vegetable juices could increase the nickel intake significantly. The data are compared to Danish maximum limits on lead and cadmium.

Per and polyfluorinated substances in the Nordic Countries: Use, occurence and toxicology

This Tema Nord report presents a study based on open information and custom market research to review the most common perfluorinated substances (PFC) with less focus on PFOS and PFOA.The study incl ...

Six open questions about the migration of engineered nano-objects from polymer-based food-contact materials: a review

ABSTRACT The use of nanomaterials in food-contact applications has created enormous interest in recent years. The potential migration of engineered nano-objects (ENOs) from food-contact materials (FCMs) is one of the most important concerns regarding potential human exposure to ENOs and health risks. Current research focusing on FCMs has often reached inconsistency regarding migration of ENOs. The scope of this critical review is to give a concise overview of the most relevant aspects of the subject, and to identify and discuss the major open questions in relation to migration of ENOs from FCMs. This includes the very fundamental questions whether ENOs can migrate from FCMs at all and what the potential release mechanisms of ENOs could be. The inconsistency of findings from experimental studies is highlighted based on the example of silver nanoparticle migration from polymer-based FCMs. Challenges in the detection and characterisation of ENOs in migration studies and the suitability of the most frequently used analytical techniques are discussed. Further, this review questions the suitability of standard food simulants and migration test conditions for FCMs as well as of conventional mathematical migration models. Considerations regarding the risk for consumers associated with migrating ENOs from FCMs are discussed. Graphical Abstract

PFAS in Paper and Board for Food Contact

Poly- and perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are used in paper and board food contact materials (FCMs) and they have been found to be highly persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic. The purpose of the Nordic workshop and of this report is to:* create an overview of the use of PFAS in FCMs of paper and board and of the toxicity and migration into food of the various substances* provide an overview of whether appropriate risk assessments for fluorinated substances exist as a basis for specific regulations or recommendations* provide an overview of whether analytical methods suitable for analysing and regulating the substances are available* discuss the possibility and structure of national regulations or Nordic recommendations for PFAS in FCMs of paper and board. Risk management to reduce the total content of organically bound fluorine in paper and board FCMs is supported.

Human exposure from P&B among other sources

Human exposure to PFAS can result from various sources such as food, beverages (including drinking water), inhalation and in-house dust contaminated by PFAS from different consumer products such as textiles and impregnation products (Strynar and Lindstrom, 2008; Bjorklund et al., 2009; Ericson et al., 2008; EFSA, 2011).

Food contact materials and articles: Printing Inks: Check lists for compliance in industry and trade and control by food inspection

In-house control and the documentation of it is the basis for the assurance of compliance with legislation, in the food area and in the area of food contact materials (FCM). Safe use of FCM is a co ...