Bisphenols, Endocrine Mimicry and Public Health

A number of years ago, when I was Chief of Staff and board member of a large hospital, hardly a month passed without my being approached by a representative of one of the vendors for intravenous solutions packaged in plastic bags. If you watch any of the television ER type programs, you have seen those bags (presumably made of different materials) prominently displayed dispensing television "life-saving" solutions and drugs.

The reason the representatives were on my doorstep is that I opposed the use of their plastic containers in the hospital. My understanding of the literature was that there was reason for serious concern about the plasticizers in these containers. I couldn't accede to their entreaties to be "reasonable." I did not want kids and sick adults exposed to materials which, the literature suggested, carried a long-term risk of harm.

On May 5, 2008, the Congressional Research Service published a report "Bisphenol A (BPA) in Plastics and Possible Human Health Effects (Order Code RS22869). The report summary notes "Some animal experiments have found that fetal and infant development may be harmed by small amounts of BPA, amounts to which many people may be exposed, but scientists disagree about the value of the animal studies for predicting harmful effects on people. . . . Legislation proposed in April 2008, S. 2928, would prohibit use of BPA in some products intended for use by children.

BPA is used in the manufacturing of hard plastics (polycarbonate) and epoxy resins used in food can linings. BPA is capable of migrating from the plastic into the foods or liquid with which it is in contact. BPA can mimick and otherwise interfere "with the action of estrogen, an important regular of reproduction and development." At levels to which many of us are exposed, in mice BPA may interfere with the development of the nervous system and prostate and mammary tissue.

Estrogen mimicry is a potentially major biologic hazard. Estrogens are involved in many developmental and other biologic functions, some of which are not obvious (i.e., provide receptors for certain bacteria). If investigation determines that BPAs are involved in urogenital, neurologic, endocrine, infectious or development abnormalities in humans, the result will be exposure of manufacturers of some consumer products to extraordinary liability. Plaintiffs' attorneys, who (with some justification) point to their roles in safeguarding public health, may extend their reach, prompted by professional obligations to pursue judgments for clients who have demonstrated significant levels of BPA in their bodies and the types of disorders that endocrine mimcry can product.

September 16, 2008 update link: "FDA defends plastic linked with health risks By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR and LINDSEY TANNER Associated Press Writers.