BPA use will likely be contained
The Food and Drug Administration is revisiting safety concerns surrounding the plastic hardener Bisphenol A, commonly known as BPA. The FDA is likely to ban BPA in baby bottles, cups and food containers. Sarah Gardner reports.
Chemical worker pulls out test tube (Marco Di Lauro/Getty Images)
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Steve Chiotakis: The Food and Drug Administration is taking a fresh look at the plastic hardener Bisphenol A, commonly known as BPA. Last year, it ruled the chemical safe in things like baby bottles. But some places are revisiting the issue. From the Marketplace Sustainability Desk, here's Sarah Gardner.
Sarah Gardner: This week, Connecticut is expected to ban BPA in baby bottles, cups and food containers. Some other states aren't far behind. Now, the FDA is revisiting a Bush administration conclusion that BPA is safe in food and drink containers.
Janet Nudelman at the Breast Cancer Fund, believes the U.S. will regulate BPA:
Janet Nudelman: The science is there, the public demand is there, the more progressive elements in manufacturing are there. And policymakers are responding to public outrage around Bisphenol A.
The chemical industry says that outrage has been stoked by overzealous health advocates and a biased media. But the American Chemistry Council now says it welcomes the FDA's second look.
The council's Steve Hentges:
Steve Hentges: It's in the public's best interest. We hope that a timely decision based on the science will give the public the confidence it deserves in the safety of products made from Bisphenol A.
Of course, advocates like Nudelman are hoping the FDA concludes just the opposite.
I'm Sarah Gardner for Marketplace.
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