BPA Lung Function Study Shows Inconsistent Data; Results Fail To Connect BPA Exposure To Asthma In Children

Studies such as this examination of statistical associations have no capability to establish cause-and-effect relationships

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American Chemistry Council

Oct 06, 2014, 04:00 ET

WASHINGTON, Oct. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Chemistry Council (ACC) offers the following comments regarding the study published today in JAMA Pediatrics by A. Spanier, et al, entitled "Bisphenol A Exposure and the Development of Wheeze and Lung Function in Children Through Age 5 Years." Quotes from the following may be attributed to Steven G. Hentges, Ph.D. of ACC's Polycarbonate/BPA Global Group.

"As reported by the authors of this study, the statistical associations between prenatal BPA exposure and decreased lung function and wheeze in children are 'inconsistent,' 'marginal,' and 'borderline.' The authors also note study design 'limitations' that 'may result in exposure misclassification.' This limited and inconsistent study does little to inform the scientific community or parents about the causes of asthma in children. Furthermore, the press release accompanying the study could result in over interpretation of the data or misunderstanding of the limited study conclusions.

"Earlier this year, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) scientists published the results of a large-scale government-funded study demonstrating that low-dose exposure to BPA did not result in the development of adverse health effects. We know from additional studies that even premature infants have ample capacity and capability to metabolize and eliminate BPA, which indicates that low level exposures are unlikely to cause health effects.

"Many government bodies around the world have evaluated the scientific evidence on BPA and have declared it safe as used in food contact materials. For example, the FDA in June 2013, responded to the question, 'Is BPA safe?' with an unambiguous one-word answer: 'Yes.'

"Additionally, other robust research funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and conducted by scientists at FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the government's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, (Teeguarden et al.) found that, because of the way BPA is processed in the body, it is very unlikely that BPA could cause health effects at any realistic exposure level."

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The American Chemistry Council (ACC) represents the leading companies engaged in the business of chemistry. ACC members apply the science of chemistry to make innovative products and services that make people's lives better, healthier and safer. ACC is committed to improved environmental, health and safety performance through Responsible Care®, common sense advocacy designed to address major public policy issues, and health and environmental research and product testing. The business of chemistry is an $812 billion enterprise and a key element of the nation's economy. It is the nation's largest exporter, accounting for twelve percent of all U.S. exports. Chemistry companies are among the largest investors in research and development. Safety and security have always been primary concerns of ACC members, and they have intensified their efforts, working closely with government agencies to improve security and to defend against any threat to the nation's critical infrastructure.

SOURCE American Chemistry Council