the more you know
Chemical in food cans and baby bottles cited as health
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- A chemical used in consumer products ranging from baby bottles to food-can linings to compact discs is widely found in humans and may affect childhood development and reproduction, according to a new draft report from the National Institutes of Health.
The report on bisphenol A, which is used primarily in plastics and epoxy resins, follows outcry from consumer advocates to phase out its use in kids' products. In studies with rodents, exposure to high levels of BPA during pregnancy and lactation was found to reduce survival, birth weight and growth of offspring, and delay the onset of puberty.
Animals experience effects from BPA at exposure levels similar to those experienced by humans, according to the report, and so the possibility that the chemical could alter human development can't be dismissed.
Human exposure to BPA is widespread, according to the report, which cited findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of detectable levels in 93% of urine samples of people six and older. BPA can get in food and drinks when it leaches from containers, and the highest intakes are by infants and children. The NIH's National Toxicology Program requested comments on the draft report for a scheduled peer review in June.
A separate report earlier this year found that popular plastic baby bottles leach BPA when heated. For U.S. testing, 10 bottles in total were used, purchased in nine states from stores such as Target (TGT), Wal-Mart (WMT) and Babies 'R' Us. Read full story.
Some retailers have already responded to concerns. Whole Foods (WFMI) has ceased sales of baby bottles and child drinking cups made from polycarbonate plastic, which contains BPA, and a handful of states are considering legislation to phase out or ban BPA.
Government attention
As early as Wednesday, Canada is expected to classify BPA as a dangerous substance, according to the Globe and Mail newspaper. Canada would be the first country to make such as a move, which could lead to restrictions, according to the media report.
There have been calls for the U.S. government to restrict the use of BPA, particularly in children's products.
The House Committee on Energy and Commerce is probing the Food and Drug Administration's approval of the use of BPA in products for infants and children. The committee found that the FDA has relied on two studies paid for by the American Plastics Council.
"There is a wealth of scientific information available about the safety and health effects of bisphenol A, yet FDA seems to have relied exclusively on two industry-funded studies, one of which has not even been made available to the public for review," said Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., committee chairman. "This raises serious concerns about whether the science FDA relied on to approve the use of bisphenol A was bought and paid for by industry." |
