FDA delays decision on BPA

Monday, environmental health advocates saw a promised FDA deadline pass. Congressmen Waxman and Stupak formally asked the FDA for a decision about the safety of Bisphenol-A (BPA). Scientific studies have linked BPA to known health effects including impaired brain and reproductive development in unborn babies, miscarriage in pregnant women, diabetes, obesity and cancer.

The FDA, which is taking the lead on BPA because of its use in food packaging, had self-imposed a deadline of November 30 for a decision about whether to restrict BPA use in food and beverage containers.

The last FDA review of BPA was revealed by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel to have been "written largely by the plastics industry" and others with a financial stake in the chemical.

In 2008, scientists on an FDA advisory board called the FDA’s conclusions "inadequate."

Some states such as Minnesota and Connecticut have already banned BPA from certain children's products.

The delay in the decision is not entirely seen as a bad thing, as the FDA is most likely researching hundreds of studies on the effects of BPA more thoroughly than they ever have. Still, the delay is frustrating among for some advocates who feel that BPA is already causing irreversible harm in vulnerable populations.

In an editorial yesterday, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel encouraged the FDA to "get on with it," stating "The FDA has all the evidence it needs to support a ban - at least in products intended for children."

Sarah Janssen, MD, PhD, senior scientist with the Natural Resources Defense Council says,

"We are glad that the FDA will be including biomonitoring studies and other health studies ignored in previous evaluations of BPA. But since we already know enough to warrant restrictions on this chemical, the delay is frustrating."

While we all wait for BPA to be regulated by the the FDA’s decision on BPA, you can take action by asking your Senators to co-sponsor the BPA Act. Senators Feinstein and Markey have introduced a bill which would ban BPA from food and beverage containers.

Further reading:

• Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel. FDA likely to delay ruling on BPA.
• NPR. FDA misses deadline on BPA Assessment.