Plastics: The FDA = FAILED

From Grist.org:

Independent panel finds FDA conclusions on BPA flawed

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's finding earlier this year that the chemical bisphenol A is safe for use in food containers and other products is "not supported by the available data and science," according to an independent review panel tasked with examining the FDA's conclusions. The review panel found that "The margins of safety defined by FDA as 'adequate' are, in fact, inadequate," and that the FDA's whole approach to assessing BPA "creates a false sense of security" and "overlooks a range of potentially serious findings." Also, the studies dismissed by the agency in its assessment "raise additional and unsettling concern."

sources: Associated Press, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal

Green: Say No Way to BPA!

Can I get an Amen and a Hallelujah!?

As a HUGE anti-plastics preacher I can't begin to tell you how thrilled I am that word is FINALLY getting out to the masses (hey, 'some concern' is better than 'no concern') about the toxicity of 'food grade' plastics.  I've been annoying educating everyone I know about my concerns with plastics for YEARS now!  Dump your plastic water bottles for non-toxic alternatives such as a stainless steel Klean Kanteen, People!  And PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not drink water out of those 5 gallon plastic containers that Arrowhead (and the like) delivers to your home and office!  Those bottles are made from plastic number 7 which is a MAJOR leacher of BPA.  And (while I'm on a roll here) NEVER heat your food in the microwave in any sort of plastic container.  Seriously, how much more convincing do you need?!  Or maybe you're cool with Prostate and Breast Cancer, hormonal imbalances, etc.(?!) 

And Bravo(!) to Health Canada for being the first regulatory body in the world to call Bisphenol A (BPA) a 'dangerous substance' this week!  w00t!

From Grist.org...

U.S. health agency says ubiquitous chemical may harm kiddos.

A U.S. federal agency has declared that there is "some concern" that chemical bisphenol A can harm the development of children's brains and reproductive systems. The National Toxicology Program, part of the National Institutes of Health, issued a draft report following up on an 18-month review of BPA. The agency reported more concern than was suggested by its advisory panel, which critics alleged was biased toward the chemical industry. BPA can seep from hard plastic beverage containers, including baby bottles, and was detected in the urine of 93 percent of participants in a recent study. In light of the NTP report, congressional Democrats are asking the Food and Drug Administration to reconsider its view that BPA is safe. Canada, for once not beating us to the punch, is expected to issue a similar warning about BPA soon.

sources: Los Angeles Times, Reuters, The Washington Post, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Associated Press
see also, in Grist: Umbra advises on plastic water bottles
see also, in Grist: A special series on parenting and health