Bisphenol-A

Bisphenol-A, also known as BPA, is a chemical product manufactured by Dow. It is commonly used in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. These components are then used in consumer goods throughout the world including baby bottles, water bottles, storage containers, children’s toys and metal food cans. Dow is one of the leading world manufacturers of Bisphenol-A and the epoxy products used later in production.

People are constantly exposed to Bisphenol A, which has been shown in multiple studies to be linked to harmful health effects, including endocrine disruption, recurrent miscarriage, altered mammary gland development, prostate cancer, altered brain development and behavior, and insulin resistance. The FDA has not taken action to ban the chemical despite reports exposing its detrimental health effects. However, many states including California, Connecticut, Minnesota, New York, Rhode Islands, New Jersey, and Illinois have taken steps to introduce and push legislation banning the use of Bisphenol A.

For more information about the effect sand properties of Bisphenol A, see:

Bisphenol-A and Your Health: An Alaska Community Action on Toxics Fact Sheet
Courtesy of isitinus.org, this basic fact sheet outlines the main effects and concerns over bisphenol-A.

CHEJ Testimony on the Safety of Phthalates and Bisphenol-A
The Center for Health, Environment & Justice's testimony on the safety of phthalates and bisphenol-A in consumer products for the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. Testimony presented by Stephen Lester, Science Director of the CHEJ.

Chapel Hill Bisphenol A Expert Panel Consensus Statement
An expert panel's assessment of the effect of BPA in animals and the potential impact on human health. Published in Reproductive Toxicology 42(2):2007.

Environmental Working Group: A Survey of Bisphenol A in U.S. Canned Foods
Independent laboratory tests found a toxic food-can lining ingredient associated with birth defects of the male and female reproductive systems in over half of 97 cans of name-brand fruit, vegetables, soda, and other commonly eaten canned goods. The study was spearheaded by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and targeted the chemical bisphenol A (BPA), a plastic and resin ingredient used to line metal food and drink cans.

NTP Brief on Bisphenol A
A draft version of the National Toxicology Program's (NTP) assessment of Bisphenol A. It provides more detailed, technical information regarding BPA's chemical makeup and was conducted on behalf of the National Institute of Environmental Health Services, which is a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Video- "Toxic Chemicals in Products: Financial Risks and Opportunities"
A video released April 16, 2007 provides individual investors, executives, pension fund fiduciaries and other investment professionals with a 20-minute “short course” on how toxic chemicals in products relate to investment risk and opportunity. As the video explains, these issues will be prominent in six shareholder meetings starting in April and unfolding throughout the 2007 proxy season, continuing challenges begun in the 2006 proxy season by members of the Investor Environmental Health Network (IEHN). The video focuses on numerous companies, including Dow Chemical.

Reaching Puberty Early"
A commentary article by Susan Shane in Colorlines about her daughter, puberty, and the dangers of plastic and synthetic chemicals in our environment.