[alberg30] Drinking water


Fri Jul 14 11:00:36 PDT 2000


For another perspective (admittedly from the plastics industry) see
http://www.plasticsindustry.org/about/epoxy/badge.htm which discusses
safety issues of epoxy resins used to coat the inside of tin cans.

An excerpt:

  For over 40 years epoxy resins have been widely and safely used in
  a variety of can coatings applications. Epoxy resins have achieved
  wide acceptance in protective coatings, including coatings for food
  and beverage cans, because of their exceptional combination of
  properties such as toughness, adhesion, and chemical resistance.
  The most widely used epoxy resins are based on bisphenol A diglycidyl
  ether (BADGE). BADGE is a major component in all bisphenol A /
  epichlorohydrin based liquid epoxy resins.
  
  The discovery of small amounts of BADGE several years ago in fish
  cans in Switzerland raised concern over the use of epoxy resins in
  all can coatings.  [gd note: The Swiss regulatory threshold level
  is 20 parts per billion.]

  ...

  In the US, resins containing BADGE are permitted for use in the
  manufacture of resinous and polymeric coatings without specific
  restrictions, other than the overall migration limit of 50 ppm.
  Based on recent discussions with industry representatives, the FDA
  has not indicated any move to change its regulatory posture towards
  BADGE.
  
  Industry Position
  
  There are many different technologies for formulating epoxy
  resin-based can coatings. The conditions for applying and curing
  the formulations also differ and are put to a variety of uses. As
  part of our commitment to Responsible Care® and product stewardship,
  we take allegations of product safety seriously and continue to
  work with various industry associations and legislative authorities
  around the world. The scientific evidence to date on BADGE supports
  its safe use with migration limits as high as 50 ppm, and does not
  support the need for the use of BADGE free or low BADGE solid epoxy
  resins. The industry will continue to work with governmental agencies
  and fund research as deemed appropriate to ensure the safe use of
  BADGE.
  

  

-- 
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------
  George Dinwiddie                                  gdinwiddie at min.net
  The gods do not deduct from man's allotted span those hours spent in
  sailing.                         NEW URL => http://www.Alberg30.org/
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