Bisphenol-A Safety Still Doubtful: NTP

Contradicting the results of a report released by the US Food and Drug Administration last August that assured the safety of bisphenol A (BPA) at typical levels, government experts on Wednesday in their final report revealed that human exposure to bisphenol A is linked to health and developmental problems in fetuses and children.

Bisphenol A, commonly abbreviated as BPA, is a chemical found in polycarbonate plastic typically used to make up baby bottles, water bottles and epoxy resins, a lining used in metal products like canned foods.

While the FDA’s last report said that the agency "has concluded that an adequate margin of safety exists for bisphenol A when used in products coming into contact with food", the report released by the Department of Health and Human Services, ‘National Toxicology Program’ marked, "The possibility that BPA may affect human development cannot be dismissed. We see developmental changes occurring in some animal studies at BPA exposure levels similar to those experienced by humans."

Considering the fact that fewer health concerns have been noted this time as against those noted last August, the report recommends a further in-depth study understanding how the chemical affects human health.

"However, there remains considerable uncertainty whether the changes seen in the animal studies are directly applicable to humans, and whether they would result in clear adverse health effects…..additional research will be needed to determine if these concerns are relevant," the group said

According to the report released by the NTP, researchers believe that a constant exposure to the chemical could affect the development of the prostate gland and brain and can cause adverse behavioral effects on fetuses, infants and children.

Though according to the FDA draft, an infant’s exposure to bisphenol A is about 2,000 times less than the FDA's safety level, and exposures among adults are 27,000 times lower, "The possibility that BPA may affect human development cannot be dismissed," said John Bucher, associate director of the toxicology group noted.