September, 03 2008, 03:13pm EDT
NIH Refutes FDA's Claims BPA is Safe for Use
WASHINGTON
The National Institutes of Health's National Toxicology Program
(NTP) concluded today that bisphenol A (BPA), an artificial sex hormone and
chemical used in hard plastic products like baby bottles may alter brain
development and increase the risk of prostate cancer. The NIH review, which
contradicts a recent FDA assessment based on chemical industry science,
reflects the findings of dozens of independent scientists from around the
globe who have raised questions about the chemical's possible dangers for
more than a decade.
BPA Timeline: From Invention to Phase Out
NTP's assessment that BPA exposure is cause for concern directly refutes
last month's announcement by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which claimed exposure to BPA is
safe for humans. NTP reviewed over 100 independent scientific studies before
reaching its conclusion, while FDA relied solely on three chemical-industry
funded reports, which gave the toxic chemical the thumbs up for use in
consumer products.
"The FDA has no credibility when it comes to BPA safety. The NIH
announcement is yet more confirmation that the FDA is in the pocket of
industry. FDA ignored the nation's top public health scientists, and instead
lauded the benefits of a toxic, hormone disruptor found in virtually every
infant in America," added Wiles. "Now that wrong has been righted."
"Unlike the FDA, NTP has listened to the nation's premier scientists and has
concluded that the BPA threat to the brains, bodies and behavior of our
children must be taken seriously," EWG Executive Director Richard Wiles.
"The agency's stance is measured -- and courageous in the face of the slick,
relentless publicity campaign from the chemical industry, which seems to be
following the tobacco industry's playbook."
The U.S. chemical industry produces an estimated 2.3 billion pounds of BPA
annually to make polycarbonates and epoxy resins, tough, light materials
that are fabricated into a vast array of products, including airplanes,
computer and cell phone parts, paints and coatings, safety helmets and
goggles, dental bonding agents, toys, water and baby bottles and food
packaging. The global market for BPA is estimated at 6 billion pounds, which
translates roughly to $6 billion.
"Consumers deserve straight talk from the government," added Wiles. "The new
NTP assessment tells us that we are right to be concerned about BPA and the
industry1s ongoing chemistry experiment on our kids."
The Environmental Working Group is a community 30 million strong, working to protect our environmental health by changing industry standards.
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Sanders, Booker, and Welch Unveil Ban on Junk Food Ads Targeting Kids
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A trio of U.S. senators on Friday introduced what's being billed as first-of-its-kind legislation sponsors say will "take on the greed of the food and beverage industry and address the growing diabetes and obesity epidemics" with a federal ban on junk food ads targeting children.
The Childhood Diabetes Reduction Act—introduced by Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.)—would also require warning labels "on sugar-sweetened foods and beverages; foods and beverages containing non-sugar sweeteners; ultra-processed foods; and foods high in nutrients of concern, such as added sugar, saturated fat, or sodium."
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As the senators noted:
Today, more than 35 million Americans are struggling with type 2 diabetes—90% of whom are overweight or obese. These crises go hand-in-hand and children are severely impacted. Today, 1 out of 5 five kids are living with obesity. A serious illness unto itself, diabetes is also a contributing factor to heart disease, stroke, amputations, blindness, and kidney failure. Unless the U.S. dramatically changes course, these numbers will continue to grow exponentially.
The impact on the economy is enormous: Last year, the total cost of diabetes exceeded $400 billion, approximately 10% of overall U.S. healthcare expenditures.
Meanwhile, the U.S. food and beverage industry spends about $14 billion annually on marketing unhealthy products, with $2 billion of that spent on advertising these products to children.
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"This is the reality that extreme Republicans call 'pro-life.'"
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According to Seitz:
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But it's unclear what fines might be imposed on more than a dozen hospitals that the Biden administration says failed to properly treat pregnant patients in 2022.
It can take years for fines to be levied in these cases. The Health and Human Services agency, which enforces the law, declined to share if the hospitals have been referred to the agency's Office of Inspector General for penalties.
Responding to the reporting on social media, journalist Jane Mayer declared, "This is barbaric."
Texas Poor People's Campaign said that women in the state "are being left to die in ER waiting rooms. We cannot let this policy violence against women continue. Please join us as we mobilize voters for the '24 election."
Going into November, abortion has been a key issue at the state and federal level. Supporters of reproductive freedom are working to advance various ballot measures while Democratic President Joe Biden's campaign has highlighted his support for abortion rights and the presumptive Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump, has bragged about his role in reversing Roe—he appointed three of the six justices behind the majority opinion.
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Congresswoman Becca Balint (D-Vt.) said that "this is the reality that extreme Republicans call 'pro-life'—pregnant women being turned away at hospitals and emergency centers. Absolutely disgraceful. No woman should ever be denied emergency care."
Slate's Mark Joseph Stern, who covers U.S. legal battles, noted that this "devastating and timely story" from Seitz comes "just days before the Supreme Court considers whether emergency rooms can legally force patients to the brink of death before terminating a failing pregnancy."
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The legislation passed a procedural hurdle in a vote of 316-94, placing votes for the separate aid packages and a bill calling for more humanitarian assistance to Gaza on the legislative agenda for Saturday.
Bush (D-Mo.) joined progressives including Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) in opposing the legislation, with centrist Democratic Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina also voting with the left-wing faction.
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