Posted By Lin on March 9, 2009
On Sunday six of the top baby bottle manufacturers announced that they will stop selling baby bottles with bisphenol A (BPA) in the US. The primary risks associated with BPA are for the very young. The primary human exposure to BPA is through food and beverage containers with internal coatings and consumer products made of polycarbonate plastic such as baby bottles, tableware, food containers, and water bottles.
The National Toxicology Program Brief on Bisphenol A (CAS No. 80-05-7, April, 2008) produced by the Department of Health and Human Services indicated risk of the following at low dose levels: neural and behavioral alterations, altered prostate and urinary tract development, lesions on prostate and mammary glands, and early onset of puberty in female young. In particular, there is risk of alterations related to the development of normal sex-based differences between males and females. There is also some degree of risk for adults for breast cancer, prostate cancer and other health problems.
The FDA has maintained that BPA is safe. The “Washington Post” reports however that the FDA has relied mainly on two studies funded by the chemical industry. In October 2008, the FDA’s position on BPA was faulted by its own independent science adviser, but the agency. The FDA has stated that it has no plans amend its position.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has reported on the FDA several times in recent months on issues such as inadequate procedures and insufficient resources, stating in one report that “FDA’s oversight and enforcement efforts have not kept pace”.
Regardless of the controversy, avoiding BPA is a wise choice, and the removal of BPA from baby bottles is a positive step in the right direction.
Government Accountability Office: www.gao.gov
National Toxicology Program : http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/
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