[Pharmwaste] Congress: Science for Sale? Investigation into possible bias in report on Bisphenol A

[DeBiasi,Deborah]

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=4252096&page=1

Congress: Science for Sale?
Congress Launches Probe Into Firm's Work on Chemical Used to Make Many
Plastic Bottles
By JUSTIN ROOD
Feb. 6, 2008- 



Congress is investigating a Washington, D.C.-based firm which critics
charge "manufactures uncertainty" on behalf of chemical companies to
help keep their products free from government bans or other
restrictions. 

"The tactics apparently employed by the Weinberg Group raise serious
questions about whether science is for sale at these consulting groups,"
said Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., chair of the Energy and Commerce
Committee, in a statement Wednesday. His panel is heading up the probe. 

Dingell's investigators have asked the Weinberg Group to produce records
on work it has done involving a chemical known as Bisphenol A, used to
make many plastic bottles including baby bottles and bottles under the
Nalgene brand, and other chemicals. 

The Food and Drug Administration has long permitted its use, but in
recent years concerns about the chemical have grown as studies have
indicated low doses of the substance can disrupt hormone systems in
laboratory animals and possibly increase the risk of cancer or other
serious illness. 

The American Chemistry Council has defended the chemical, saying
scientists' concerns over Bisphenol A were "distinctly at odds" with
findings from other studies by both government organizations and
scientific bodies. "All of these evaluations support the conclusion that
bisphenol-A is not a risk to human health at the extremely low levels to
which consumers might be exposed," the group said. On its Web site,
Nalgene's manufacturer, Nalge Nunc International, refers to research on
Bisphenol A by the FDA, the Environmental Protection Agency, the
American Plastics Council and "other reliable sources from around the
world" to state "we firmly believe in the safety of our products." 

The Weinberg Group may play a role in arranging just the kinds of expert
panels and scientific research the chemical industry points to in
defense of its products, Dingell suggested. 

The chairman pointed to a confidential Weinberg Group document published
in 2006, in which the firm suggested to DuPont de Nemours & Company
several ways it could help "shape the debate" about one of its chemical
products. The firm proposed developing "blue-ribbon panels,"
"constructing a study to establish" that DuPont's chemical was safe, and
arranging the publication of papers "dispelling the alleged nexus"
between the company's chemical and its alleged harmful effects on
humans. 

"We will harness...the scientific and intellectual capital of our
company with one goal in mind -- creating the outcome our client
desires," the 2003 letter stated. The company reportedly confirmed the
authenticity of the letter to the publication which revealed it,
Environmental Science & Technology. 

A call to the Weinberg firm was directed to the office of its CEO,
Matthew Weinberg. His assistant said he was out of the office at the
moment and unavailable for comment. 


Copyright (c) 2008 ABC News Internet Ventures



Deborah L. DeBiasi
Email:   dldebiasi at deq.virginia.gov
WEB site address:  www.deq.virginia.gov
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
Office of Water Permit Programs
Industrial Pretreatment/Toxics Management Program
PPCPs, EDCs, and Microconstituents
Mail:          P.O. Box 1105, Richmond, VA  23218 (NEW!)
Location:  629 E. Main Street, Richmond, VA  23219
PH:         804-698-4028
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