The European Commission’s independent Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR) recently published its risk assessment of exposure to BPA via medical devices that are manufactured with materials that potentially leach BPA leading to oral (via dental material), subcutaneous and intravenous (e.g. during hemodialysis) routes of exposure.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a key building block of polycarbonate plastic and a precursor for the manufacturing of monomers of epoxy resins. The BPA exposure of the general population is via food as a result of the use of BPA in food packaging and via skin as a result of contact with thermal paper. The vast majority of the population (91–99%) has detectable levels of BPA-conjugates in their urine. BPA is also present in medical devices including implants, catheters, tubing, and some dental materials.