FDA should take BPA in baby bottle seriously

By Journal Times Editorial Board

Monday, September 15, 2008 11:56 PM CDT

At what point does the U.S. Food and Drug Administration begin to sweat?

The agency sure has played it cool around Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical that helps prevent many plastic products, most notably baby bottles, from breaking. The FDA expressed no concern over the past several years as studies poured in suggesting it could lead to obesity, lower testosterone levels and increased risk of cancer in kids when it leaches out.

Earlier this month, the talk in health circles was a study that suggests BPA could cause neurological problems. Yet the federal agency has remained loyal to the chemical; an FDA draft report last month said it’s safe at normal levels.

That’s far from a unanimous scientific view. At least 100 other studies are dubious of BPA’s health effects. And another public health watchdog, the National Toxicology Program, reported it has “some concern” about the impact on babies and young children.

At least one member of Congress has pledged to ban the stuff, and California has debated a similar law more narrowly focused on children’s products. Dumping it completely might be a bit hasty. So far the worrisome tests have all come on animals.

At the very least, the FDA should acknowledge all is not sunny on the BPA front. The neurological study was done on monkeys, which means it’s more feasible a human body would react the same.

Stores such as Wal-Mart and Toys R Us aren’t waiting for government advice. They announced they’re dropping products containing the chemical. Many labels boast in large lettering that the items are BPA-free.

Many doctors rely on the judgment of agencies like the FDA. Many parents, in turn, rely on the judgment of those doctors.

Because it affects infants, this has become an emotional issue. Regulators do need to chisel through the drama and hold firm to genuine science.

Except a Washington Post report last spring makes us wonder if that’s their motivation. It showed the FDA’s confidence in BPA is based heavily on two studies — both funded by the American Plastics Council.

The FDA has scheduled a public meeting today to evaluate its stand on BPA. The latest health studies should apply some scientific heat. Anxious parents shouldn’t be the only ones perspiring.

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