16. CHEMICALS: FDA delays ruling on plastics additive (11/30/2009)

Sara Goodman, E&E reporter

The Food and Drug Administration has delayed a final decision about the safety of the plastics additive bisphenol A, or BPA.

An FDA spokesman declined to say why the agency has delayed the announcement that had been expected today, adding that there is "no firm date" for a decision.

Known for its durability and tolerance for high temperatures, BPA has been used for decades to make polycarbonate plastics and the epoxy linings of metal cans.

Last year, FDA ruled the chemical is safe because only small amounts leach out of food containers, but the agency's science board objected to the ruling, saying it failed to consider scientific studies and came to a flawed conclusion.

There have been growing concerns that BPA causes developmental and behavioral problems in lab animals. In response, FDA announced in August that it would review more than 100 scientific studies and make a final decision about the chemical's safety by the end of November.
Industry groups supported FDA's ruling, saying regulators around the world have vouched for the chemical's safety.

Some scientists and public health advocates are wary of FDA's decision to conduct more studies, saying the chemical has already been the subject of more than 900 studies. A group of scientists last month called FDA's plans to review BPA "disturbing," saying "there are significant study design flaws in the [government's] research plans" (Greenwire, Oct. 13).

Jennifer Sass, a senior scientist with the Natural Resources Defense Council, said the agency should be taking immediate action to protect the most vulnerable populations from exposure to the chemical but said she is hopeful the extra time will allow FDA to come to a scientifically sound decision.

"We're hoping they'll use this time to do a more thorough review," Sass said. "The frustrating part is they're delaying real action. I don't think they need the time, I think they need to do the job right."

In the absence of federal action, several states have banned BPA in baby bottles and some retailers and manufacturers have announced that they will no longer use the chemical in their products.

Meanwhile, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences last month announced $30 million in grants for studying BPA's health effects in people.