HHS Announces New Steps to Address Emerging Concerns About Bisphenol A
The Department of Health and Human Services has issued a fact sheet announcing the additional steps it will take to address newly emerging health and safety concerns regarding Bisphenol A, known as BPA.
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BPA is Used in Hard Plastic Food Containers, Lining Metal Food Cans, Etc.
According to HHS, BPA is a chemical that has been used for more than forty years in making many hard plastic food containers such as baby bottles and reusable cups and the lining of metal food and beverage cans, including canned liquid infant formula. Trace amounts of BPA can be found in some foods packaged in these containers.
In 2008, FDA Concluded BPA Was Safe, Newer Studies Causing Concern
In 2008, the Food and Drug Administration conducted a review of toxicology research and information on BPA, and, at that time, assessed that food-related materials made with BPA on the market were safe.
However, recent studies have reported subtle effects of low doses of BPA in laboratory animals. While BPA is not proven to harm children or adults, these newer studies have led federal health officials to express some concern about the safety of BPA.
More Research & Additional Steps Are Needed
HHS has concluded that more research is needed to understand the potential human health effects of exposure to BPA. Therefore, the Administration and HHS, working in a collaborative manner, are taking the following steps:
Infant bottles and feeding cups. FDA is supporting current industry efforts to stop the manufacture of infant bottles and feeding cups made with BPA from the U.S. market.
FDA oversight of BPA. FDA is seeking to strengthen its oversight of BPA so the agency can respond quickly, if necessary, when more scientific evidence becomes available.
Interagency task force. The Administration is creating an Interagency Technical Working Group on Children's Environmental Health that will combine the expertise of different federal agencies to focus on environmental health risks that disproportionately affect children. This Working Group will coordinate efforts across the government to research and address key environmental health questions, including BPA.
More research. HHS - through its Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the FDA - is investing in new health studies in both animals and humans to better determine and evaluate the potential health consequences of BPA. In addition, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) is providing $30 million in funding to investigate BPA, which includes support for FDA studies and external grants. HHS expects to have the results of this scientific research in approximately 18 to 24 months.
Recommendations for families. While HHS learns more, it has put together a list of recommendations for parents and families to take reasonable steps to reduce exposure to this chemical, especially for young children. These are available at www.hhs.gov.
HHS fact sheet (dated 01/15/10) available at http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2010pres/01/20100115c.html
BP Notes
BPA has been the subject of several recent initiatives by both the Administration and Congress including (partial list):
On September 29, 2009, EPA Administrator Jackson announced a set of "essential principles" that outline the Administration's goals for legislative reform of the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 (TSCA). Among other things, EPA may issue risk management action plans for BPA. (See ITT's Online Archives or 10/16/09 news, 09101625, for BP summary.)
On July 30, 2009, the House of Representatives passed the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009, which among other things, would require HHS to evaluate BPA in food and beverage containers, including reusable food and beverage containers, and to consider whether to revoke or modify any of the approved uses of BPA in such containers. (See ITT's Online Archives or 09/01/09 news, 09090120, for BP summary.)
In June 2009, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Waxman and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman Stupak sent a letter to FDA Commissioner Hamburg asking the FDA to reconsider its conclusion under the Bush Administration that Bisphenol A is safe at current estimated exposure levels. (See ITT's Online Archives or 06/04/09 news, 09060420, for BP summary.)