April 22, 2010

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced plans to scrutinize the environmental impacts of bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical widely used in the manufacture of a range of consumer and industrial products, and consider possible regulatory actions.

Noting that more than one million pounds of BPA are released into the environment each year, the EPA said it will take a number of actions including requiring manufacturers to provide test data related to environmental effects; investigating the impact of BPA on the U.S. water supply; and possibly adding BPA to EPA's list of chemicals of concern. Notices of proposed rulemaking are expected to be published in late 2010.

To further encourage reductions in BPA releases and exposures, EPA also will assess substitutes, particularly where alternatives to BPA may be readily available, such as the coatings on cash register receipts and the linings of water and waste water pipes.

EPA pledged to work closely with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences on research to better assess and evaluate the potential health consequences of BPA, including health concerns from non-food packaging exposures that fall outside of the FDA’s reach but within EPA's regulatory authority.

In January 2010, the FDA changed its position on the safety of BPA, voicing concerns and setting aside $30 million to study potential effects and ways to reduce exposure to BPA in food packaging.

Full article

EPA's BPA Action Plan Summary