Professor David Melzer, a scientist at Exeter University says that bisphenol A—BPA—the estrogenic chemical it described as “gender bending,†should undergo the same safety trials as emerging medications. Professor Melzer is urging an immediate review into the controversial chemical and is also asking manufacturers to limit BPA in food packaging and containers, wrote the Daily […]
Professor David Melzer, a scientist at Exeter University says that <"https://www.yourlawyer.com/practice_areas/toxic_substances">bisphenol A—BPA—the estrogenic chemical it described as “gender bending,†should undergo the same safety trials as emerging medications.
Professor Melzer is urging an immediate review into the controversial chemical and is also asking manufacturers to limit BPA in food packaging and containers, wrote the Daily Mail. Melzer, an epidemiologist, also revealed changes in sex hormones in men with exposure to the chemical, said the Daily Mail, referring to a study conducted by Melzer.
At briefing at the Royal Institution in London, Melzer said, “Millions of pounds of this compound are being produced every day, but we still don’t know how it gets into humans. I think small effects for large numbers of people matter and it’s reasonable that a tiny proportion of the costs of BPA should be put to human drug trial-type assessments to settle once and for all whether this compound is bio-active in humans.†Quoted the Daily Mail.
Hundreds of prior studies link BPA to cardiovascular disease, intestinal problems, brain cell connection interference, increased risks of reproductive and immune system diseases and disorders, problems with liver function testing, interruptions in chemotherapy treatment, premature puberty, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and erectile dysfunction and male sexual problems. BPA is found in the bodies of 93 percent of Americans and 90 percent of all American newborns.
Another report containing the must current collection of published scientific literature regarding BPA’s health impacts found that of 81 studies included in the compilation, 75 concluded that humans are exposed to the chemical there exists negative health reactions connected to exposure to BPA, wrote Toxics Action. Also, men exposed to high levels of the polycarbonate plastic test with what WebMD described as a small but significant increase in testosterone, the male sex hormone.
Sadly, despite ongoing reports about the potential health hazards of bisphenol A—the estrogenic, polycarbonate plastic that can be found in everything from paper thermal receipts to water bottles—the California Senate recently defeated a bill to ban the ubiquitous chemical from plastic baby bottles, sippy cups, and baby formula containers, wrote the Associated Press (AP).
The failed measure would have placed limits on BPA to trace amounts in food and beverage containers meant for use by children age three and younger, added the AP.
A number of entities, states, and countries have already implemented similar bans, including in Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Vermont, Wisconsin and Washington and Suffolk Counties and other counties in New York state. The BBC previously wrote that BPA has been banned or limited in three countries: Canada, Denmark, and France. Bans are also in place in Australia, and New Zealand and last year, the World Health Organization (WHO) said it would be launching a study to look at the health effects of BPA, wrote TimesArgus.
BPA is known to imitate the hormone estrogen. Acting as an anti-androgen, BPA affects sexual development and processes, especially in developing fetuses, infants, and children. Anti-androgens block hormone activity.
