The Department of Health and Human Services’ National Toxicology Program (NTP) has announced a January 11-13, 2011, workshop in Raleigh, North Carolina, to address how environmental chemicals may be contributing to the “epidemics of diabetes and obesity.” Workshop participants will (i) “evaluate strengths/weaknesses, consistency, and biological plausibility of findings reported in humans and experimental animals for certain environmental chemicals including arsenic, cadmium, chlorinated organohalogens, other organohalogens, bisphenol A, phthalates, and organotins”; (ii) “identify the most useful and relevant endpoints in experimental animals and in vitro models”; (iii) “identify relevant pathways and biological targets for assays for the Toxicology Testing in the 21st Century (‘Tox21’) high throughput screening initiative”; and (iv) “identify data gaps and areas for future evaluation/research.” See Federal Register, December 10, 2010.
Tag Archives BPA
The Massachusetts Public Health Council has approved a ban on the production and sale of reusable plastic products containing bisphenol A (BPA) that are intended for children younger than age 3. Targeted mainly at baby bottles and sippy cups, the ban will reportedly take effect on January 1, 2011, for manufacturers and July 1 for retailers. “We are taking this action as a precautionary measure,” Department of Public Health Commissioner John Auerbach said in a statement. “Our goal is to protect our most vulnerable residents—our children—in the light of mounting scientific evidence about the potential dangers of BPA.” See Massachusetts Office of Health and Human Services Press Release, December 15, 2010.
The European Commission (EC) has announced a ban on bisphenol A (BPA) in plastic baby bottles. According to a November 26, 2010, press release, the decision was reached at a meeting of European Union member states that followed “months of discussion and exchange of views between the Commission’s services, the European Food Safety Agency, member states and the industry.” The measure prohibits member states from manufacturing the bottles with BPA starting on March 1, 2011, and selling and importing them as of June 1. John Dalli, commissioner in charge of health and consumer policy, reportedly raised concerns after recent studies claimed to show BPA could be harmful to infants. “The decision is good news for European parents who can be sure that as of mid-2011 plastic infant feeding bottles will not include BPA,” he was quoted as saying. Meanwhile, a UK expert has criticized the move, telling a news source…
An international panel of experts has identified food as “by far the main source of bisphenol A (BPA) exposure,” although levels of chemical in the human body are “very low” and quickly eliminated through urine. The World Health Organization (WHO) and U.N. Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) announced the findings after more than 30 experts convened in Ottawa, Canada, to review the latest scientific data on BPA. The panel apparently concluded that BPA migrates into food from food packaging, such as plastic containers, baby bottles and coated food cans. Other BPA sources–including house dust, soil, toys, dental treatments, and thermal cash register receipts–are “of minor relevance,” according to a November 9, 2010, joint WHO/FAO press release. The panel reportedly noted, however, that “it is difficult to interpret the relevance” of recent scientific studies that have associated BPA exposure with adverse health effects, warning that “[u]ntil these associations can be confirmed,…
A recent study has reportedly concluded that viable skin can absorb bisphenol A (BPA), raising concerns about exposure from handling BPA-laden products such as receipts. Daniel Zalko, et al., “Viable skin efficiently absorbs and metabolizes bisphenol A,” Chemosphere, October 2010. French researchers used both pig and human cultures to determine that “BPA is readily absorbed and metabolized by the skin,” which converted the substance into two conjugates known as BPA mono-glucuronide and BPA mono-sulfate. “The trans-dermal route is expected to contribute substantially to BPA exposure in human [sic], when direct contact with BPA (free monomer) occurs,” concluded the authors. The study evidently confirms earlier findings released ahead-of-print in Environmental Health Perspectives indicating cashiers had the highest urinary BPA concentrations among a sample of 389 pregnant women. According to a November 2, 2010, Science News article, University of Missouri-Columbia Professor Frederick vom Saal has described the French research as “unequivocal in showing…
A recent study funded by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health has reportedly linked workplace bisphenol A (BPA) exposure to “[1] decreased sperm concentration, [2] decreased total sperm count, [3] decreased sperm vitality, and [4] decreased sperm motility.” De-Kun Li, et al., “Urine bisphenol-A (BPA) level in relation to semen quality,” Fertility and Sterility, October 2010. Researchers apparently examined 218 Chinese factory workers—some with occupational exposure to BPA and some with only environmental exposure—concluding that, “those with detectable urine BPA had more than three times the risk of lowered sperm concentration and lower sperm vitality, more than four times the risk of lower sperm count, and more than twice the risk of lower sperm motility.” Among the 88 study participants who did not work directly with BPA, the study authors observed “similar dose-response associations . . . with environmental EPA exposures at levels comparable with those in the…
Green Century Capital Management, an investment advisory firm focused on environmentally responsible companies, and As You Sow, an advocacy group that promotes corporate accountability, have issued a 2010 report that ranks packaged food companies on their efforts to address bisphenol A (BPA). Building on a previous effort published in April 2009, Seeking Safer Packaging 2010 seeks to analyze “how companies are responding to this critical issue by disclosing information, exploring substitutes and committing to phase out BPA.” The findings apparently indicate “that notable progress has been made toward commercializing substitutes to BPA epoxy can linings,” with the “overwhelming majority” of the 26 survey respondents acknowledging “some efforts” to mitigate potential risks. The report notes, however, that outside some industry leaders, “some of the largest companies are the biggest laggards in seeking substitutes to and phasing out BPA.” According to the authors, “New scientific and investigative reports on the potential health…
Environment Canada has published a final order adding bisphenol A (BPA) to Schedule 1 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act 1999 (CEPA 1999), a move that will make it easier for agencies to regulate the substance. “The Government of Canada has a strong record of taking action on Bisphenol A to protect the environment and health of Canadians,” stated Environment Minister Jim Prentice in an October 13, 2010, press release. “We are continuing our leadership on this issue and Canadians can rest assured that we are working hard to monitor and manage Bisphenol A.” Claiming that BPA exposure “can result from dietary intake, environmental media, use of consumer products, and other sources,” the final order adopts “a precautionary approach” based on animal and human studies that allegedly showed the potential for neurobehavioral and developmental effects in newborns and infants. The order also notes environmental concerns, citing evidence “that exposure to…
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization will hold expert and stakeholder meetings to discuss bisphenol A (BPA) on November 1-5, 2010, in Ottawa, Canada. Supported by the European Food Safety Authority, Health Canada, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the November 2-5 expert meeting will address the toxicological and health aspects of BPA, assess its safety, and consider alternatives to the ubiquitous plasticizer. The November 1 stakeholder meeting will provide an opportunity for interested parties to present their views on specific questions, which will also be considered during the expert session. The main topics slated for discussion include (i) “General chemistry of BPA and analytical methods for detection in food”; (ii) “Occurrence of BPA in the diet, including studies on migration of BPA from food contact material”; (iii) “Metabolism and toxicokinetic studies of BPA”; (iv) “Toxicity of BPA…
The European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA’s) panel on food contact materials, enzymes, flavorings, and processing aids has released its latest risk assessment for bisphenol A, concluding that there was not any “new evidence which would lead them to revise the current Tolerable Daily Intake [TDI] for BPA of 0.05 mg/kg body weight set . . . in its 2006 opinion and re-confirmed in its 2008 opinion.” The CEF panel undertook the reassessment at the request of the European Commission, which directed scientists to (i) decide on the basis of recent literature whether to update the TDI; (ii) “assess a new study on possible neurodevelopmental effects”; and (iii) advise on a risk assessment made by the National Food Institute at the Technical University of Denmark. Although one minority opinion evidently raised questions about “adverse health effects below the level used to determine the current TDI,” panel members agreed on shortcomings in…
