California adopts dermal maximum dose level for BPA

California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (Oehha) has adopted a maximum allowable dose level (MADL) of three micrograms per day for bisphenol A (BPA) from dermal exposure from solid materials.

The agency did not receive any comments during its consultation on the MADL. The regulation will take effect 1 October.

BPA was listed a reproductive toxicant under Proposition 65 last year. Warning for exposure to the substance above safe harbour levels has been required since 11 May 2016. The MADL represents the safe harbour level below which warning is not required to be provided.

A MADL for oral exposure – which includes exposure to BPA from food contact materials – has yet to be developed.

The Can Manufacturers Institute and the North American Metal Packaging Alliance have both called on Oehha not to allow its emergency regulation that allows for point-of-sale BPA warnings to expire prior to adoption of an oral MADL.

The agency has said that it is waiting for federal research on BPA to finish before establishing anoral safe harbour level. This research is scheduled for completion in 2017 or 2018.

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Further information
Final Document
Safe Harbor Numbers (updated to 1 Apr. 2016)