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NTP Report on Bisphenol A

The federal government’s top toxicologists report “concerns” over bisphenol A (BPA), the controversial chemical in many of the nation’s favorite plastic beverage containers, after a full investigation of the chemical suspected of causing problems with behavior and development of the brain and prostate gland in infants and children, with fetal effects observed also.

In its final report, the National Toxicology Program (NTP) identifies “some concern” for potential adverse effects stemming from exposure to BPA, a component of many epoxy resins and polycarbonate plastics. Many baby bottles, plastic beverage bottles, and the coating that lines all canned foods are made with BPA. The NTP reviewed an extensive body of scientific study involving animals and, citing a dearth of human studies from which to draw conclusions, reports the potential for adverse effects on developing children “cannot be dismissed,” according to NTP’s associate director, John Bucher, PhD.

Using a five-point scale to measure concern, with “some concern” being the middle value, the NTP concludes the following:

• “Some concern” that the prostate gland, brain, and behavioral growth of a child, infant, or fetus will be negatively affected by BPA exposure.
• “Minimal concern” over the possibility of accelerated puberty and mammary gland development in female children.
• “Negligible concern” that a pregnant woman’s BPA exposure will affect fetal and neonatal mortality, reduced birth weight, impaired growth, and birth defects in the children she carries.
• “Negligible concern” over the threat of detrimental reproductive effect when adults are exposed to BPA as a part of everyday life.
• “Minimal concern” for the reproductive health of adults exposed to BPA in the work environment.

These concerns arose after review of animal studies but the NTP research team has made the statement that the same biological effects happening in the animals may also happen in humans and that the program’s concern is great enough to suggest to parents that they may want to avoid the use of BPA-laced products for themselves and their families at this time.

On September 16, the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) Science Board subcommittee on BPA will host a public meeting to discuss pubic commentary and peer review of a draft assessment of the merits of using BPA in products that will come in contact with food, a draft the FDA released a month ago. An FDA spokesperson has expressed pleasure in the finalization of the NTP’s report and says it will be taken into consideration when the FDA drafts its own final report.

The NTP is an interagency research program operating from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, a branch of the National Institutes of Health.

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