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Labels: Health and Chemicals
Chemical in Plastic may Harm Children
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
A US federal body, The National Toxicology Program (NTP), part of the National Institutes of Health, has released a report concluding that there is "some concern" that fetuses, babies, and children are at risk from Bisphenol A.
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a man-made chemical that mimics estrogen. It is used primarily in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Baby bottles, baby formula and liners in cans are made from polycarbonate plastics.
The NTP reported that "limited evidence of developmental changes occurring in some animal studies at doses that are experienced by humans. It is uncertain if similar changes would occur in humans, but the possibility of adverse health effects cannot be dismissed." The findings by the NTP will be used to assist federal regulators on how to develop policies around what amounts of BPA will be considered safe.
Marla Cone of the LA Times reported "In the key area of reproductive health, the agency reported more concern about the potential dangers to children than its advisory panel did. The advisory panel in August found "minimal" concern about effects on the prostate and puberty after siding with the plastics industry and disqualifying many animal studies that showed effects. That drew criticism from scientists who conducted the research. But in the new report, the National Toxicology Program overruled its panel, elevating its finding about human prostates and puberty to "some concern." It also for the first time expressed concern about effects on human mammary glands, which the panel had not addressed."
During the early years, fetuses, babies and childrens' rapidly developing systems are more sensitive and vulnerable to chemicals and toxins in the environment. Some studies have shown that even small doses of the chemical BPA can be connected to serious health concerns in lab animals such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, sperm defects, and early onset of puberty, miscarriage, infertility, obesity, diabetes and possibly even Down syndrome.
The verdict is still out on what federal and state regulators will do with this new report. Health Canada, the only country in the world, is currently looking at placing BPA on its list of toxic substances. A final decision will be announced in late October.
Chemical in Plastic may Harm Children
posted by Eco Baby Products on Wednesday, April 16, 2008
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