FDA Delays Decision on Chemical in Plastics

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) missed a self-imposed deadline to make a determination about the safety of bisphenol-A (BPA), a chemical ingredient in hard plastics, food can liners, and other common products. Studies have linked BPA exposure to heart disease, developmental disorders, and other health problems.

[1] A draft assessment on BPA released by FDA last year was widely criticized [2]. In the draft assessment, FDA identified "margins of safety" for both infants and adults and contended, at levels most humans are exposed to, the margins are adequate. But the FDA’s own scientific advisory board later said the available evidence "provides a sufficient scientific basis to conclude that the Margins of Safety defined by FDA as 'adequate' are, in fact, inadequate."

In August, FDA said [3] it would complete a review of the scientific information on BPA by the end of November. FDA now hopes to make a determination in the coming weeks. Meg Kissinger from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports [4]:

Michael Herndon, the FDA spokesman, urged patience.

"We are pushing hard for some decision soon," he said. "Too soon for anyone to be frustrated." 

However, with state and local governments taking [5]regulatory action on BPA and some manufacturers limiting it in their products, consumers will continue to be frustrated until the federal government takes a definitive stance on BPA’s health effects.

Photo by Flickr user davidfntau [6]. Used under a Creative Commons license.