JECFA Evaluations-LEAD-

Summary of Evaluations Performed by the
Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives

LEAD
Functional class:	CONTAMINANT
Latest evaluation:	1999
Tolerable Intake:	PTWI 0.025 mg/kg bw
Comments:	The provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) of 0.025 mg/kg bw was maintained at the fifty-third meeting (1999). The Committee considered the results of a quantitative risk assessment and concluded that the concentrations of lead found currently in food would have negligible effects on the neurobehavioural development of infants and children. The Committee noted, however, that examples of foods with high levels of lead remain in commerce. The simulation model that is presented in the report could be used to evaluate the effects of any proposed regulatory interventions to reduce exposure to lead. A full risk assessment of dietary intake of lead should also take into account other sources of exposure.
Report:	TRS 896-JECFA 53/81
Tox monograph:	FAS 44-JECFA 53/273
Previous status:	1993, TRS 837-JECFA 41/32, FAS 21-JECFA 30/223 (1986). PTWI 0.025 1986, TRS 751-JECFA 30/35, FAS 21-JECFA 30/223. PTWI 0.025 (EVALUATION OF HEALTH RISK TO INFANTS AND CHILDREN; REFERS TO LEAD FROM ALL SOURCES) 1978, TRS 631-JECFA 22/26, FAS 13-JECFA 22/38. 0.05 (PTWI FOR MAN; NOT APPLICABLE TO INFANTS OR CHILDREN) 1972, NMRS 51/TRS 505-JECFA 16/16, FAS 4-JECFA 16/34. 0.05 (PTWI FOR MAN; DO NOT APPLY TO INFANTS AND CHILDREN) 1966, NMRS 43/TRS 373-JECFA 10/15. 0.005 (TENTATIVE MAXIMUM ACCEPTABLE DAILY LOAD)

28 Apr 02