BPA

Moral of the story: BPA is found in more products than originally believed, and there is mounting pressure to do something about it. If you know a product has BPA in it, especially if it is for kids, and there are alternatives, use them. Research is starting on this and the FDA may get involved, so stay tuned for an update. BPA = Bad

Source: AMA Morning Rounds

Variety of foods found to contain dangerous levels of BPA.

The Los Angeles Times (11/3, Zajac) reports that a survey released Monday by the consumer advocacy group Consumers Union "has found measurable levels of the chemical additive bisphenol A (BPA) across a range of foods, including some that were labeled 'BPA free.'" According to the analysis, "children eating multiple servings of some of the tested food could get doses of BPA 'near levels that have caused adverse effects in several animal studies.'" In a letter to FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg, the group said that the findings "bolster the case for banning BPA from use in materials that come in contact with food and beverages." Although the FDA "had no immediate comment," a spokesman "noted that a review of existing evidence about BPA's health effects was nearly completed and that Hamburg would 'make a decision how to proceed' by the end of the month."

Kristof warns of BPA dangers.

In his column in the New York Times (11/8, WK10), Nicholas Kristof noted a recent report by Consumer Reports in which they "tested an array of brand-name canned foods...and found BPA in almost all of them." He asks, "Should we be alarmed? The chemical industry doesn't think so." But "more than 200...studies have shown links between low doses of BPA and adverse health effects." Recently the Endocrine Society "warned...that these kinds of abnormalities may be a consequence of the rise of endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and it specifically called on regulators to re-evaluate BPA." And now the FDA -- which "has generally been asleep at the wheel -- is studying the issue again. Bills are also pending in Congress to ban BPA from food and beverage containers." On BPA, Kristof decided, "While the evidence isn't conclusive, it justifies precautions."

NIH grants $30 million to BPA research.

USA Today (10/29, Szabo) reports, "The National Institutes of Health will devote $30 million to study the safety of bisphenol A, or BPA, an estrogen-like chemical used in many plastics." Robin Mackar, spokeswoman for the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), said that "almost half of that money comes from the economic stimulus bill." Previously, animal studies linked "BPA with infertility, weight gain, behavioral changes, early onset puberty, prostate and breast cancer and diabetes. New research will focus on low-dose exposures to BPA and effects on behavior, obesity, diabetes, reproductive disorders, asthma, cardiovascular diseases and various cancers." NIEHS director Linda Burnbaum said, "We know that many people are concerned about bisphenol A and we want to support the best science we can to provide the answers."