After FDA, EPA Gearing to Launch Investigation against BPA

• Date: April 01, 2010
• Source: Admin

Recently FDA has shown “some concern” about bisphenol A or BPA for causing adverse effects on brain, behavior; and prostates of fetuses, infants, and young children and now, in the wake of FDA’s concern, EPA also is gearing to launch investigation about BPA’s effect on water supply and environment.

According to the FDA advisory system, there are five levels of concern of which “some concern” constitutes the third. Earlier, FDA faulted in judging the negative impacts of BPA on human health; only when hundreds of researches proved this chemicals’ relation with a number of diseases and disorders, FDA reversed its position and opinion about the chemical and marked it with “some concern”.

On 29th of March, 2010 EPA announced its planning for launching investigation against BPA. Interestingly, even on the report published by EPA on 30th December, 2009, BPA was not categorized as amongst first four deadly chemicals subject to more stringent labeling and monitoring. Incessant pressure from scientists and advocates may be viewed as the reason for sudden role reversal of the EPA.
 
However, EPA will initiate its investigation on BPA first by looking at the levels of presence of the chemical in ground water and drinking water. Also, the agency will “look for ways to reduce unnecessary exposures, including assessing substitutes”.

What is BPA?

BPA, the controversial chemical, is a plastic hardener used in polycarbonate manufacturing. BPA can commonly be found in food and beverage cans, CDs, paper receipts and in any other plastic products. BPA is mainly used for preventing leaks and contamination of canned foods. However, scientists believe that continuous intake of BPA may cause serious adverse effects on human health. Health problems associated with BPA are:

As the baby bottles contain BPA, infants may become prone to diseases caused by BPA and can’t get rid of the chemical

BPA can cause cancer, early onset puberty, obesity, and type-II diabetes

If consumed regularly, BPA can cause heart disease and liver-enzyme abnormalities

What Scientists Say

Over 900 peer-reviewed studies have found and established BPA’s negative effect on human health. Scientists believe retention of BPA in human body not only affects the particular human body but also affects future generations. Moreover, FDA standard for permissible BPA is also high and potent enough to cause serious damages.

An overwhelming number of reports on relation between BPA and human health, published or waiting to be published, affirm possibilities of significant disruption of endocrine system, cardiovascular disease, intestinal dysfunction, disrupted liver functioning, and disturbed chemotherapy treatment and so on.

Source:

http://www.newsinferno.com/archives/19440

http://www.newsinferno.com/archives/19451

http://current.pic.tv/2008/10/30/bpa-do-you-know-whats-in-your-plastic-bottles/