FDA ignored evidence when calling BPA safe ... USA TODAY Oct 28, 2008

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http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2008-10-28-bpa-fda_N.htm FDA ignored

evidence when calling BPA safe By Liz Szabo,

USA TODAY Oct 28, 2008 The Food and Drug Administration ignored

evidence when concluding that a chemical in plastic baby bottles is safe,

according an expert panel asked to review the agency's handling of the

controversial substance. Studies that the FDA ignored show

that bisphenol A, or BPA, could cause harm at levels at least 10 times lower

than the amount that the agency says is safe for babies, according to the

panel's report, released today. ON THE

WEB: FDA report on bisphenol A The expert panel says the FDA was

wrong to base its August safety decision on three industry-funded studies,

especially since another government agency, the National Toxicology Program,

found that many other independent studies deserved consideration. Based on

those independent studies, the toxicology program concluded last month that

there is "some concern" that BPA alters development of the brain,

prostate and behavior in children and fetuses. Excluding valuable scientific

studies "creates a false sense of security" about BPA, the panel's

report says, and "overlooks a wide range of potentially serious

findings." The FDA made other significant

mistakes that lead it to underestimate BPA's potential dangers, the panel says: •When measuring BPA levels in

infant formula, for example, the FDA used only 14 cans of liquid formula, all

purchased at the same time.Then, the FDA used the average BPA level found in

these cans, which are lined with BPA. The panel notes that some babies whose

formula comes from cans with above-average BPA levels may be exposed to far

more of the chemical than others. •The FDA also failed to

consider the cumulative effect of being exposed to BPA from dozens of products.

The FDA may have underestimated the true amount of BPA to which babies are

exposed. The new report was written by a

subcommittee of the agency's outside science board, a large group of experts

that advises the FDA on complex issues. That larger board is scheduled to meet

Friday, and may decide to issue its own report to the FDA. In a statement, the FDA said the new

report "raises important questions" and says it "looks forward

to the review of the subcommittee's report" on Friday. The FDA says it's

planning to do additional research on BPA. Critics have long contended that

BPA, which acts like the hormone estrogen, can cause harm at extremely low

doses. The Environmental Working Group, for example, says BPA could cause

brain, behavior and prostate damage at levels 500 times lower than the FDA's

proposed exposure limit. An advocacy group, the Natural

Resources Defense Council, believes BPA is too toxic to use in baby products at

all. The group has formally asked the FDA to remove BPA from food and beverage

containers. Canada this month

declared BPA to be toxic and announced plans to ban it in baby bottles. In a statement, the American

Chemistry Council, an industry group, said its members will comply with the

FDA's final decision. "The agency's leadership is

particularly vital on an issue that has caused considerable concern and

confusion among consumers," the council said. "If the agency

determines that existing margins of safety are insufficient in infant

applications, our member companies that manufacture BPA will put processes in place

to promptly phase out the use of materials containing BPA in baby bottles and

infant formula packaging."