Scientists, physicians, consumers and environmental health advocates today responded to an FDA staff presentation on progress of their review of bisphenol A (BPA), a synthetic sex hormone linked to cancer, diabetes, heart problems and other illness. Congressmen Henry Waxman and Bart Stupak asked for FDA to review their evaluation of BPA.
Jen Sass, Ph.D., Natural Resources Defense Council, attended today's FDA meeting. "While the final report is not due until November 30th, we are glad that they will be including biomonitoring studies and other health studies ignored in previous evaluations of BPA. Representatives from manufacturers who use BPA certainly turned out in force today." Accusations of industry influence on FDA decision making on BPA plagued the agency last year.
Janet Nudelman of the Breast Cancer Fund said, "The science on BPA is extensive and deeply troubling. We're encouraged that the FDA is re-assessing the safety of this toxic chemical, and we urge them to take into account all of the credible, peer-reviewed research on low-dose exposures."
Dr. Sarah Janssen, with Natural Resources Defense Council, said "Under new leadership, FDA has the opportunity to demonstrate that their evaluations can be based on the full scope of scientific evidence. The weight of evidence suggests that BPA is not safe in our food supply and exposure puts the public, especially children, at risk."