Findings from Study about Chinese Workers' Exposure to BPA of Limited Relevance to U.S. Consumers

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Oct 28, 2010, 12:01 ET

The following statement can be attributed to Steven G. Hentges, Ph.D., of the Polycarbonate/BPA Global Group of the American Chemistry Council (ACC) regarding the study, 'Urine bisphenol-A (BPA) level in relation to semen quality,' by De-Kun Li, et. al., published in the Journal of Fertility and Sterility

WASHINGTON, Oct. 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "What is important for consumers to know is that government agencies worldwide have examined the science on BPA, including a recent European Food Safety Authority review of 800 studies, and have concluded that low doses of BPA are not a risk to human health. This study of Chinese workers with high exposure to BPA is of limited relevance to consumers who, by contrast, are exposed to only very low levels of BPA.

"Studies from the U.S. CDC and Health Canada have shown that typical consumer exposure to BPA, from all sources, is more than 1,000 times lower than government-established safe intake levels."

About this Chinese Worker Study

Previous studies from these researchers indicated that workers in these Chinese factories did not uniformly follow accepted worker-protection measures, for example the proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (e.g., dust masks) or engineering controls (e.g., ventilation) that are provided to control exposure.
Even though these workers were reported to have extremely high exposures to BPA, the reported changes in sperm parameters may not be clinically relevant or indicative of an adverse effect on fertility. The authors indicate that few workers met the WHO scientific criteria of sperm abnormality, used for identifying infertility.
Through the Responsible Care program, ACC member companies are committed to worker safety, which includes extensive worker safety practices that limit exposure to BPA. Consequently, the findings from Chinese factories are likely to be of limited relevance to workers in the U.S.

http://www.americanchemistry.com

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 a $674 billion enterprise and a key element of the nation's economy. It is one of the nation's largest exporters, accounting for ten cents out of every dollar in 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