Toxic Nation | Pollution. It's In You.

When the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) examined the safety of the chemical bisphenol A, an endocrine disruptor found in a variety of consumer products, they based their decision on two studies sponsored by the Society of the Plastics Industry, a subsidiary of the American Chemistry Council.  The FDA claims that there is no safety concern around bisphenol A at the current exposure level. Meanwhile, there are hundreds of peer-reviewed studies showing a wide range of harmful health effects associated with even low doses of bisphenol A.

The disclosure of FDA’s sources comes after Michigan congressmen John Dingel and Bart Stupak launched an investigation into the use of bisphenol A in baby formula cans and baby bottles.  As part of their investigation they requested the FDA to show their scientific support for bisphenol A’s safety.

In the 1990s, the FDA tested products such as pop cans and baby bottles to determine the level of bisphenol A leaching.  They then assessed whether or not the levels detected could cause harm based on the two industry sponsored studies. Both studies indicated that the chemical caused no hard to rodents at low doses. However, one of the industry funded studies has never even been published, and therefore never subjected to a peer review, and the second study is heavily criticized by other scientists for flawed experimental methods. 

This all seems too easy.  Sponsor two scientific studies that show favourable results, show them to government officials and presto!  Another ruling in favour of the plastic and chemical industries.

Read More:

“FDA relied on industry studies to judge safety” by Susanne Rust. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. March 21, 2008.

“FDA is challenged on toxic chemical in baby bottles: agency improperly relied on chemical industry studies” Anila Jacob. Environmental Working Group. March 21, 2008

Cassandra