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The low dietary exposure of the general population to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) is unlikely to pose adverse health effects to consumers, according to findings of a literature review on EDCs in food released by the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) today (August 29).
EDCs can be naturally occurring or man-made substances that may mimic or interfere with the function of hormones and thus affect the normal functions of tissue and organs, a CFS spokesman said. Human beings are exposed to these substances through food intake, skin contact and air inhalation.
"Some epidemiological studies indicated that EDCs might have potential health concerns in relation to reproduction, development, and neural and immune functions, and have been associated with different types of cancers. The CFS, therefore, conducted this literature review to assess health risk associated with these chemicals," the spokesman said.
The study focused on the analysis of seven kinds of potential EDCs(Note), which had been identified by the European Union as priority items for review. These industrial chemicals may have greater impact on the environment and human health because of their high production volume globally or persistence in the environment.
"According to overseas and local studies, dietary exposure of the general population to these seven groups of chemicals was below their representative health-based guidance values, e.g. tolerable daily intake. They were unlikely to cause adverse health effects to human beings," the spokesman said.
"To safeguard food safety and public health, the CFS will keep in view the latest international risk assessments and management options on potential EDCs in food, and take suitable follow-up actions where appropriate," he said.
To reduce dietary exposure to these chemicals, the spokesman reminded food traders to ensure that food on sale in Hong Kong complies with relevant regulations and is fit for human consumption. Manufacturers and suppliers of food contact materials should adopt Good Manufacturing Practices and make sure that their products comply with recognised standards.
"The public should maintain a balanced and varied diet so as to attain good health and avoid excessive exposure to contaminants from a small range of food items, such as seafood, especially bivalves, as they generally contain higher levels of environmental contaminants such as EDCs and metallic contaminants," he said.
The public should also buy food and food contact materials (including food packaging, containers and tableware) from reliable suppliers. When using plastic food contact materials, always follow the manufacturer's instructions and pay attention to the suitability of the product for holding hot, fatty or acidic foods, or for use in microwave ovens, etc. Misuse of these products may cause the migration of potential EDCs from the plastic materials to food.
Details of the study are available on the CFS website, www.cfs.gov.hk .
Note: The seven kinds of chemicals are:
1. Organochlorine pesticides: Used against a variety of pests but have been gradually phased out in recent years.
2. Dioxins and Dioxin-like Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs): Dioxins occur naturally and as by-products of various industrial processes, while PCBs are manufactured for a variety of industrial uses but are now banned by most countries.
3. Bisphenol A (BPA): Raw material for manufacturing plastics and resins which are widely used in polycarbonate baby bottles and water bottles, and epoxy resin coatings in can linings.
4. Styrene: Raw material for manufacturing plastics and resins which are widely used in foam containers for take-away food.
5. Phthalates: A group of chemicals used as plasticisers, which improve flexibility and durability of plastics such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
6. Organotins: Used extensively as biocides in wood preservatives, in antifouling paints for boats and as pesticides.
7. Nonylphenol (NP): A building block of nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs). NPEs are nonionic surfactants, which reduce the surface tension of liquids such as cleaning agents. It is also a raw material for producing additives of plastics (e.g. PVC) and rubber.
Ends/Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Issued at HKT 15:01
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