Investigations Dealing With Chemicals Found in Plastics Covered Up Doubts
By: Tommy Elder, Jr.
Researchers expressed significant doubt that a chemical used in making plastics should remain a part of the product. Lyndsey Layton of the Washington Post writes that roughly one hundred published investigations by government scientists and university laboratories mention potential health risk associated with the compound bisphenol A (BPA). This product, some investigators allege shows links to the development of breast and prostrate cancer, behavioral disorders, and reproductive health concerns in investigatory animals.
Recently, a National Institutes of Health committee publicized a finding contending that BPA creates health issues. As a result of this allegation- Congressman John D. Dingell requested documents from the Weinberg Group on its activities with BPA. Congressman Dingell said- `The tactics apparently employed by the Weinberg Group raise serious questions about whether science is for sale at these consulting groups, and the effect this faulty science might have on the public health.`
During discussions on this topic- One scientist i.e. Frederick von Saal, a reproductive scientist at the University of Missouri-Columbia believes that BPA can act similar to estrogen, the female sex hormone, small portions introduced to fetuses or infants may alter cell structure and create huge health problems later in life. He discovered that doses 25,000 times less than what the government considered safe harmed growing cells in mice.
By April 15, the National Toxicology Program, part of the National Institute of Health sent out information stating that `some concern` over the possibility of cancer, diabetes and other potential health risk exist with the use of BPA. FDA commissioner Andrew C. von Eschenbach established a task force to probe BPA. The Food and Drug Administration maintains, however, that this product is `absolutely safe.`
More abstracts about the Washington Post