A New Study on Bisphenol A and Funding for Several More
In a study just published in the Oxford Journal of Toxicological Sciences the authors report that bisphenol A (BPA) produced no sexual developmental disorders in the laboratory animals tested. Pregnant rats were exposed to very low to low doses of BPA and their offspring were studied for any signs of sex morphology disruptions. The study was funded and conducted by Reproductive Toxicology Branch of the EPA.
Interestingly, ethinyl estradiol on the other hand even at very low doses produced numerous reproductive morphological disruptions. Ethinyl estradiol is a form of estrogen used in almost all modern formulations of the Pill.
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences has announced a $30 million, two-year research effort to study the health effects of exposure to bisphenol A (BPA). The funds for this effort were appropriated to the NIEHS as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
BPA is an organic compound that is used in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. According to NIEHS’ press release in “2008, NTP [National Toxicology Program] and NIEHS concluded that there is evidence from animal studies that BPA may be causing adverse effects.” The press release continues that the “innovative two-year grants provided through the Recovery Act will support human and animal studies that address many of the research gaps identified by expert scientific panels, and provide a better understanding of how this chemical may impact human health.”
