Potential dietary exposure to p-nonylphenol from food-contact use of tris(nonylphenyl)phosphite (TNPP)

The potential exposure to p-nonylphenol from the use of tris( nonylphenyl) phosphite (TNPP) in food-contact materials was calculated. The calculation was made on the basis of migration data from moulded plaques prepared from linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), films prepared from LLDPE and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) films. The data were obtained using the customary experimental procedures developed by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The potential migration of p-nonylphenol to food from the use of TNPP as a component of food-contact articles was determined using food-simulating solvents and time and temperature conditions recommended by the FDA. Using the data obtained from these studies, along with procedures based on the FDA's conventional method for estimating potential dietary exposure using food simulating migration data, the potential dietary exposure to p-nonylphenol from the use of TNPP was determined to be similar to 25.5 parts per billion (ppb). Because the conditions of the migration tests exaggerate actual use conditions, this value overstates the potential dietary exposure.