WASHINGTON (AP) - Some Democratic lawmakers pushed Tuesday for a ban on a
chemical used in water bottles, canned food and other household items, despite
mixed opinions from government experts about the substance's possible risks.
Bisphenol A has been used to package food and make shatterproof bottles for
decades. But in recent years the plastic hardener has come under attack from
consumer groups, who point to animal studies showing it can cause developmental
problems and precancerous growths.
Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., introduced a bill Tuesday to ban the chemical
in all food and drink containers. Senate lawmakers already have drafted a
proposal that would go further, banning the substance from all food containers
and children's products.
Government scientists from various agencies gave mixed assessments of the
chemical's risks at a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee hearing. The
committee's top Democrats have been investigating the government's handling of
bisphenol A and a related chemical family phthalates, which are used to soften
plastic.
The levels of bisphenol "from food contact materials, including exposures
for infants and children, are well below the levels that may cause health
effects," said Norris Alderson, the Food and Drug Administration's associate
director for science.
But the agency has agreed to reevaluate the chemical's safety after an April
report by government toxicology experts concluded there is "some concern" about
whether bisphenol can change infant's hormone levels, brain development and lead
to early puberty in girls.
In response to the report, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said it planned to stop
selling baby bottles containing the chemical by early 2009.
Bisphenol leaches out of food containers, and about 93 percent of Americans
have traces of it in their urine, according to studies by the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention. More than 6 million pounds of bisphenol are
produced in the U.S. each year by Dow Chemical, Bayer AG and other
manufacturers.
The American Chemistry Council, a trade group representing chemical makers,
told lawmakers that bisphenol and phthalates are "among the most well defined
chemicals on earth" and do not warrant safety restrictions.
Lawmakers pointed out, however, that the European Union and California have
restricted six types of phthalates from use in toys, over concerns they can
cause reproductive problems in children.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Rep. Darlene Hooley, D-Ore., are hoping
to include similar U.S. restrictions in legislation aimed at tightening
oversight of toy safety. Last year millions of toys, most of them imported from
China, were recalled because of lead or other hazards. House and Senate versions
of the bill are awaiting a conference meeting to resolve differences.
But Republicans suggested Tuesday that Democrats are moving too fast.
"I hope we're not using this hearing to put something hastily into that
conference report without letting the House do it's due diligence to understand
the science," said Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Texas.
A scientist from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which oversees the
safety of toys, said the agency sees no need for a ban. Based on the
commission's research, a child would have to chew on a plastic toy for 75
minutes a day to absorb minimally dangerous levels of phthalates. Government
scientists found most children only chew on toys for about one to two minutes
each day.
Many of the largest toy companies, including Mattel Inc. and Hasbro Inc.,
agreed in 1998 to exclude certain phthalates from their toys.
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