Article on BPA bill leaves out important voice: independent scientists.
A recent article in the online version of the Boston Globe details new legislation proposed by U.S. Rep. Edward Markey, but fails to get a scientific perspective on the legislation.
Boston Globe writer Michael Bailey reports on a new bill introduced January 25th that would require industry to remove bisphenol A (BPA) from the linings of canned food and other reusable and disposable food containers. These are a major source of human exposure to BPA, a chemical that has been linked to cancer, obesity, abnormal behaviors and reproductive problems in rodents.
Bailey quotes U.S. Rep. Markey to illustrate why he believes this ban is needed. Additional comments are provided by a representative from the American Chemistry Council, a lobbying group for the chemical industry. Yet the article does not include any information from an independent scientist who could describe why research supports reducing exposure to BPA.
Were Bailey to contact a scientist who has studied BPA extensively, he would have found that low doses have been linked to disease and dysfunction in humans. Adults with higher levels of BPA in their urine have reduced fertility and are more likely to have diabetes, polycystic ovarian syndrome and cardiovascular disease. A ban that extends to all food and beverage products, rather than just children's products, could reduce their exposures.
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