Scientific panel lambasts US FDA for chemical used in plastic bottles

03 November 2008

A panel of scientific experts has lambasted the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for apparently ignoring important scientific evidence while reassuring consumers about the safety of the disputed chemical bisphenol-A.

BPA is used in making hard, clear plastic water bottles and baby bottles. It is also present in the lining of nearly every soft drink and canned food product.

Last week, in a report, the panel did not infer any conclusions about the safety of the chemical, commonly abbreviated as BPA, but did criticise the FDA for having turned a blind eye to studies the panel called crucial. It also said that the methods that the FDA used to arrive at its conclusions were flawed.

In its report, the panel said that the FDA's evaluation of BPA ''creates a false sense of security'' wile it overlooks other potentially serious findings.

BPA seems to mimic the body's own hormones, possibly causing negative health effects, leading to concerns about long term low dose exposure. It seems to have estrogen-like effects and in animal studies it appears to accelerate puberty and pose risk of cancer.

The main area of focus of the concerns is children's exposure to chemicals. Some reports have suggested that BPA could interfere with chemotherapy, and has been correlated with heart disease and diabetes in adults.