EPA Lists BPA Among 'Chemicals of Concern'

March 30, 2010— -- The Environmental Protection Agency has released a plan of action to investigate bisphenol-A, or BPA, and added the compound as a chemical of concern because of its possible harmful effects on the environment.

BPA, a plastic commonly used in food packaging and plastic bottles, has long been questioned for its purported cancer link in animals, but scientific research has yet to confirm hazardous health implications in humans. The agency said this week they will begin measuring levels of BPA in surface, drinking, and ground water.

The action follows a Food and Drug Administration decision to launch its own investigation after releasing a statement in January expressing concern about the health risks of BPA.

"We share FDA's concern about the potential health impacts from BPA," said Steve Owens, assistant administrator of EPA's Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances, in a statement released by the EPA .

More than 1 million pounds of BPA are released into the environment each year, according to the agency. The EPA will require BPA manufacturers to provide data to the agency to help evaluate its possible impact, including long-term effects on growth, reproduction, and development in animals in the surrounding area.

However, while the American Chemistry Council, an industry trade group that represents many BPA manufacturers, welcomed the EPA's plan, the group said that the plan should not be mistaken for regulatory action against BPA.

"BPA has not been proven to cause harm to infants or adults, and other regulatory bodies around the world have determined that the science supports the safety of BPA," said Cal Dooley, president and CEO of the American Chemistry Council, in a written statement.

"Both EPA and FDA, and many other agencies are moving forward to fully assess the environmental and health impacts to ensure that the full range of BPA's possible impacts are examined," said Owens.

The EPA's plan may put the U.S. on track to follow suit of other countries, including Canada, that have already banned the sale and importation of many products that contain BPA.

In March 2009, six major baby product manufacturers agreed to eliminate BPA from their U.S. baby bottle products. And states, including Connecticut and Minnesota, have individually banned BPA from baby products, such as baby food and beverage containers. However, many researchers are conflicted about whether there is enough scientific evidence to brand BPA as a dangerous compound.