FDA Faulted for Stance on Chemical in Plastics

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Monday, November 3, 2008

FDA Faulted for Stance on Chemical in Plastics

BPA widely used in baby bottles, food containers; has been linked to

diabetes, heart disease

 

By Steve Reinberg

HealthDay Reporter

 

(HealthDay News) -- A U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory panel

agreed Friday that the agency had erred in August when it said that a chemical

widely used in baby bottles and other plastic packaging for foods and beverages

posed no health risks.

 

On Wednesday, a panel of toxicology experts said the FDA hadn't properly

assessed the potential health risks posed by the chemical bisphenol A (BPA),

which some studies have linked to cancer, diabetes, heart disease and

developmental delays in children. The toxicologists said the FDA had relied too

heavily on studies funded by the chemical industry to make its decision, and

had

failed to consider other studies that questioned the safety of BPA.

 

The panel of toxicologists had been convened by the FDA after the agency

ruled that BPA was safe at current exposure levels -- a stance that prompted

criticism from some lawmakers and consumer groups.

 

On Friday, the FDA's Science Board, which consists of scientists from

academia, government and industry and advises the FDA commissioner, seconded

the

toxicologists' concerns about the FDA's August ruling. The issue will now go

to FDA Commissioner Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach. It's unclear how the FDA might

respond, the Washington Post reported.

 

" Let me be clear: There's no shame for having " your hypothesis disproved,

von Eschenbach said during Friday's session, referring to BPA without

mentioning it by name, the Dow Jones news service reported.

 

The FDA's position on BPA has been controversial because it contradicted

more than 100 studies, as well as a finding by the U.S. National Toxicology

Program, that there was " some concern " that BPA may affect the brain and

behavioral development in fetuses, infants and small children, the Post said.

 

Norris Alderson, associate commissioner for science at the FDA, told Dow

Jones that the agency will probably start research early in 2009 to determine

the toxic effects of BPA on babies less than 1 month old. Babies are

considered the most susceptible group to BPA's effects. It's unclear when those

studies would be done, the news service said.

 

In September, a study published in the Journal of the American Medical

Association said that people with high levels of BPA were more likely to have

heart disease, including heart attack, or diabetes. High BPA levels increased

the risk for these diseases by 39 percent, the researchers reported.

 

Speaking at Friday's hearing, Steven G. Hentges, of the American Chemistry

Council's Polycarbonate/BPA Global Group, said: " The Science Board is

receiving many diverse viewpoints on bisphenol A. But the common ground we all

share

is a commitment to do what's right to protect the health and safety of

American consumers -- adults and children alike. "

 

Hentges called the FDA's August draft assessment " consistent with the

conclusions of other scientific and government bodies worldwide, such as the

European Food Safety Authority, Health Canada, the European Union, and NSF

International, all of which completed or updated their assessments this year.

We rely

on their conclusions, which are that polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins

are safe for use in food contact applications. "

 

Earlier this month, Canada moved to ban plastic baby bottles containing BPA.

Several U.S. states are considering restricting BPA use.

 

Commenting on Friday's developments, Dr. Hugh S. Taylor, director of the

Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Yale University

School

of Medicine, said: " While the dangers of BPA exposure are far from

definitively proven, the clear and mounting evidence that BPA is very likely to

be

harmful should not lead to a statement from the FDA that there is no concern.

The panel's recommendation was misleading and gave people false reassurance.

Decisions that may affect the health of the next several generations (due to

the effects on the fetus as well) should be made cautiously and with input

from all interested parties. The FDA is to be commended for this

re-evaluation. "

 

More information

 

To learn more about BPA, visit _Environment California_

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SOURCES: Hugh S. Taylor, M.D., director of the Division of Reproductive

Endocrinology and Infertility, and professor of obstetrics and gynecology, Yale

University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn.; American Chemistry Council,

news release, Oct. 31, 2008; Washington Post; Dow Jones

 

 

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