US scientific panel
refuses to list bisphenol A as hazardous
Source
of Article: http://www.foodproductiondaily.com/On-your-radar/BPA/US-scientific-panel-refuses-to-list-bisphenol-A-as-hazardous
By Rory Harrington, 16-Jul-2009
The ongoing battle over bisphenol A
(BPA) took another twist yesterday when a scientific regulatory board in
California rejected calls to put the packing chemical on a list of harmful
substances.
The panel of seven physicians on the Developmental and Reproductive
Toxicant Identification Committee voted unanimously against placing BPA on
Proposition 65 - a list of chemicals believed to cause cancer, birth
defects or other reproductive harm. The list, first published in 1987,
currently numbers 775 substances.
No clear evidence
While the board members voiced concerns over the growing body of
scientific research linking BPA to fetal health abnormalities in animals,
they declared none of the evaluated studies offered clear evidence the
chemical would damage human health.
BPA is widely used to harden plastic food containers such as baby
bottles or used in the lining of metal cans.
Board member Dr Carl Keen said the panel’s finding was not the final
ruling on BPA for the state and suggested that it could be reviewed if more
rigorous evidence was available in future. He explained that the group had
previously rejected calls to list secondhand smoke because at the time it
thought the science was unclear. However, a study released weeks later
provided the committee with the solid evidence it felt was required to list
secondhand smoke under Proposition 65.
Regulatory consensus
The move has been welcomed by Steven G. Hentges of the American
Chemistry Council who said he was “pleased that a panel of
independent scientific experts convened by the State of California
concluded today that bisphenol A is not a reproductive or developmental
toxicant”.
“The Proposition 65 conclusion today that bisphenol A is not a
reproductive or developmental toxicant is consistent with the consensus
view of regulatory bodies around the world on the safety of bisphenol A,” added Dr Hentges. “From the US and Canada, to Europe, Japan and
Australia-New Zealand, at least eleven national regulatory bodies have
recently reviewed the science and concluded that bisphenol A is safe for
use in consumer products.”
However, last month’s decision by the California Senate to ban BPA
in baby bottles, toddler sippy cups and food containers means the issue is
still very much a live one in the state - although the measure is expected
to face fierce opposition when it goes before the Assembly later in the
year. If approved, California would become the third state after Minnesota
and Connecticut, to ban the chemical. The city authorities in Chicago have
already banned BPA in baby bottles, with Wisconsin also considering the
same. Last year, Canada became the first country to outlaw its use in
infant food and drink containers.
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