Chemical Reaction: bisphenol A (BPA) ... Washington Post October 16, 2008

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/15/AR2008101503160.html Chemical Reaction

As it decides the fate of a widely

used compound, the FDA has to be mindful of a potential conflict.

Thursday, October 16, 2008; A18

A DRAFT REPORT on bisphenol A (BPA) from the Food and Drug Administration

last month determined that it was safe for food storage, rejecting claims that the

chemical, which is used in the manufacture of baby bottles and to line aluminum

cans, causes cancer, obesity and heart disease. A special agency subcommittee

will release a recommendation this month advising the FDA on whether to accept,

reject or amend that determination. But there's concern that its conclusion

will be seen as less than fully independent. The FDA subcommittee is chaired by Philbert. He is

the acting director of the University of Michigan's

Risk

Science Center ,

which received a $5 million donation in July from Gelman, the retired

head of a medical device manufacturing company and an ardent defender of BPA.

Mr. Gelman told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel,

which reported the story, that he discussed his views with Dr. Philbert. Dr.

Philbert told us that he put the kibosh on any discussion of BPA with Mr.

Gelman once the context of his interest became clear. Dr. Philbert did not disclose to the FDA Mr. Gelman's gift to the

Risk Science Center . Dr. Philbert told

us that the FDA form asked for disclosure of gifts from which the recipient

personally stands to gain. The donation was made to the university with a

stipulation to endow professorships and student scholarships at the center. The

money won't start flowing until next year, when a permanent director is

expected to be in place. Dr. Philbert is not under consideration for the post. FDA spokeswoman Judy Leon said Tuesday that the agency would look

into Dr. Philbert's actions. She said that "we have no reason to believe

that Dr. Philbert has done anything other than act in good faith on this

matter." But surely she understands why many perceived a conflict of

interest. In announcing the gift to the

Risk Science Center , the university

noted that Mr. Gelman's "personal experience" influenced his

donation. To be specific, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources once

dubbed Mr. Gelman the second-worst polluter in the state. In 1992, Mr. Gelman's

manufacturing company settled a long battle with the Michigan DNR to clean up

lagoons and fields near his factory after groundwater near it was found to be

contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, a carcinogen. Mr. Gelman is on record as having

said that BPA is "perfectly safe." Dr. Philbert's subcommittee won't have the final say on BPA. That

will rest with the FDA itself. The agency must make every effort to ensure that

not only are its opinions based in fact but also that they are free of undue

influence or even the appearance of such. View all comments that

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