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Last Updated: Apr 16, 2008 - 5:52:06 PM |
WEDNESDAY April 16, 2008 (foodconsumer.org) – The United States National Toxicology Program (NTP) on April 14 released the final draft brief on bisphenol A, giving the public an impression that the federal government is seriously assessing the reproductive developmental hazards of the widely used chemical.
Bisphenol A is a chemical produced in large quantities for use
primarily in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy
resins. Polycarbonate plastics are widely used in certain food and
drink packaging such as water and infant bottles, compact disc,
impact-resistant safety equipment, and medical devices.
Bisphenol-A-containing epoxy resins, on the other hand, are used as
lacquers to coat metal products such as food cans, bottle tops, and
water supply pipes. Some dental sealants or composites contain
bisphenol A-derived materials, according to the NTP.
In the 68-page brief, the NTP says that "there is some concern for neural and behavioral effects in fetuses, infants, and children at current human exposures. The NTP also has some concern for bisphenol A exposure in these populations based on effects in the prostate gland, mammary gland, and an earlier age for puberty in females."
But the health agency also says that exposure of pregnant women to bisphenol A is unlikely to result in fetal or neonatal mortality, birth defects, or reduced birth weight and growth in their offspring and exposure of adults to the chemical through non-occupational routes is unlikely to cause adverse reproductive effects. The concern is minimal for workers exposed to higher levels in occupational settings.
Earlier on January 25, 2008, Anila Jacob, M.D., M.P.H., Environmental Working Group, a not-for-profit organization that promotes environmental health, sent a commentary letter to Dr. Michael D. Shelby, Director of the Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction (CERHR), which initiated the NTP draft on bisphenol A and its toxicity, suggesting that the report downplays the potential hazards of the chemical to the public.
In his letter, Dr. Jacob raised a few issues about the bisphenol A draft report. First, the objectivity of the CERHR's review of the chemical's toxicity remains in question. The report was first drafted by a contractor known as Sciences International, which was later fired by the National Institutes of Health for potential conflict of interest. But the initial draft continued to be used by the expert panel in spite of the fact that several prominent scientists and public health advocates questioned its objectivity.
Dr Jacob also said in his letter that the final expert panel report contains hundreds of errors and inconsistencies which had not been addressed. Another issue is that the CERHR expert panel failed to consider the significant, high exposures to bisphenol A for formula fed infants and more studies by the government and independent organizations were excluded from the report than the industry studies.
According to Jacob, Bisphenol A experts have raised serious concerns about potential human health impacts from exposure to the chemical. Thirty eight experts who convened under the sponsorship of the Department of Health in November 2006 released a comprehensive consensus statement regarding bisphenol's toxicity and determined that exposure to the chemical is a risk to human health.
For more information, read the following:
NTP draft brief - NTP
Bisphenol A - wikipedia
Dr. Jocob's letter -
The industry's position on bisphenol A
© 2004-2008 by foodconsumer.org unless otherwise specified
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