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FDA: Bisphenol A Bottles are Safe

Posted on: Wednesday, 11 June 2008, 10:57 CDT

A federal health official announced on Tuesday that plastic bottles containing bisphenol A are safe, responding to a previous report from the National Toxicology Program that noted “some concern” that the chemical can cause changes in brain behavior.

Small amounts of the chemical compound can be released as plastics break down, according to Norris Alderson, the Food and Drug Administration’s associate commissioner for science. But, he added, the level of exposure from these bottles was safe.

"Although our review is ongoing, there's no reason to recommend consumers stop using products with (bisphenol A)," Alderson told a House subcommittee.

Public concern arose in mid April 2008 when the FDA responded to requests from the Commissioner of Food and Drugs by forming an agency-wide BPA task force to review information on the compound found in its regulate products .

Meanwhile, Canada has announced its intention to ban the use of the chemical in baby bottles, and U.S. lawmakers have introduced legislation to ban bisphenol A in children's products.

Many plastic products contain BPA, including helmets, compact discs and goggles. Therefore such a ban would limit the amount of protective gear available to children, said Dr. Michael Babich of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. About 99 percent of human exposure to the chemical comes from diet.

However, Dr. Ted Schettler, director of Science and Environmental Health Network said that animal testing showed low-level BPA exposures during fetal development could alter development of the prostate gland and breast. These changes could increase the risk of cancer.

"Do we wait for irrefutable proof of harm in people before taking action?" he asked.

In the meantime, the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee is looking into the use of phthalates, which is used to make vinyl soft and flexible.

Dr. Earl Gray, a toxicologist at the Environmental Protection Agency, said he had serious concerns about the potential effects in children who are exposed to phthalates from IV tubes. In rats, phthalates have been shown to cause liver cancer and reproductive tract malformations in offspring.

Bills filed in Congress would prohibit the manufacture and sale of certain children's products that contain phthalates.

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On the Net:

FDA: Bisphenol A (BPA) - Message For Consumers

Science & Environmental Health Network

Source: redOrbit Staff and Wire Reports

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