Update On BPA

By: Carrie Davis | News Channel 7
Published: December 24, 2008

You may remember Bridgette Repenning. She's the local mother we introduced you to who is concerned about the chemical bisphenol A getting into her daughter Morgan's food.

She says, "Infants are so little and tiny and their immune systems are nothing."

BPA is used to harden plastics like baby bottles and it can also be used in canned goods to help keep food fresh.
Recently the FDA released a statement saying the chemical was safe but environmentalist Cindy Lee with Clemson University says that's questionable.

Lee says, "My concern with the FDA findings is who did the studies they are relying on

She maintains other studies show very different results.

Lee says, "It is showing up in many situations in people in their blood and urine. Animal tests, more than 700 studies, show that at very low concentrations there are things like increased prostate cancer, increased rates of breast cancer, type II diabetes, obesity."

A group of scientist petitioned the FDA saying more research needs to be done before the government agency tells people the chemical won't harm them.

Lee says, "Do we need to be concerned about that and some of the evidence is yes we do need to be concerned about it."

Now, the agency admits they may need to reconsider their recommendation.

On their website it states, "The FDA agrees that, due to the uncertainties raised in some studies relating to the potential effects of low dose exposure to bisphenol A, additional research would be valuable. The FDA is already moving forward with planned research to address the potential low dose effects of bisphenol A, and we will carefully evaluate the findings of these studies."

Until those findings are in parents like Bridgette Repenning are left to wonder if the products they are using are really safe. Scientist say for anyone worried about exposure make sure you buy BPA free products which are becoming more readily available at major retailers.