On May 30, 2018, the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) published a statement regarding polyamide oligomers in kitchen utensils. The statement focuses on cyclic oligomers that can migrate from kitchen utensils (e.g. cooking spoons, spatulas) made of polyamide (types PA6 and PA66) into food.

Based on available information and predictions from in silico methods, the BfR determined that PA6- and PA66-oliogomers are not suspected to be genotoxic or carcinogenic. Due to lack of experimental toxicological data, the BfR used the TTC (Threshold of Toxicological Concern)-approach and assigned the PA-oligomers to Cramer Class III. This results in a tolerable exposure level of 90 µg/person/day below which any health risks are considered unlikely. However, according to exposure estimations, this threshold is likely to be exceeded and exposure to PA-oligomers may be up to 17.6 mg/person/day.

Therefore, the BfR calls on manufacturers to provide toxicological data on elevated exposures to PA-oligomers. Until then, a conclusive risk evaluation cannot be finalized, the BfR noted.

Read more

BfR (May 30, 2018). “Polyamid-Oligomere: Kunststoffbestandteile aus Küchenutensilien.(pdf; in German)

Chemical Watch (June 5, 2018). “Regulators need industry data on PA oligomers, Germany says.

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