[Pharmwaste] Bisphenol A Report from FDA written largely by plastics industry

[Tenace, Laurie]

Don't ever forget how important it is to know not only the author but the
source of the material. 

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=809282 

Interested in the BPA controversy? The FDA came out with a report saying it
is not dangerous, but according to this story they let industry write the
report! Meanwhile, Canada has recently BANNED its use. 

Here are the first few paragraphs:
A government report claiming that bisphenol A is safe was written largely by
the plastics industry and others with a financial stake in the controversial
chemical, the Journal Sentinel found.

Although the Food and Drug Administration will not reveal who prepared its
draft, the agency's own documents show that the work was done primarily by
those with the most to gain by downplaying concerns about the safety of the
chemical. 

That includes Stephen Hentges, executive director of the American Chemistry
Council's group on bisphenol A, who commissioned a review of all studies of
the neurotoxicity of bisphenol A and submitted it to the FDA. The FDA then
used that report as the foundation for its evaluation of the chemical on
neural and behavioral development. The American Chemistry Council is a trade
group representing chemical manufacturers.

The FDA's draft, released in August, found no cause for worry about bisphenol
A, which is found in thousands of household products, including baby bottles,
infant formula containers and the lining of aluminum cans. 

That finding is at odds with the conclusions of the FDA's own advisers from
the National Toxicology Program. The NTP announced in September that the
chemical is of some concern for effects on the development of the prostate
gland and brain, and for behavioral effects in fetuses, infants and children.
The NTP also found some concern for the neurodevelopment of young children,
infants and fetuses. 

More at the web site -
Laurie

Laurie J. Tenace
Environmental Specialist
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
2600 Blair Stone Road, MS 4555
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400
PH: (850) 245-8759
FAX: (850) 245-8811
Laurie.Tenace at dep.state.fl.us 

Mercury web pages:
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/mercury/default.htm

Unwanted Medications web pages:
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/medications/default.htm




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