Unsafe levels of chemical leaching into drinks, U.S. panel says

The chemical industry has long insisted that bisphenol A levels in people are so low as to not be a concern. But a new assessment has found the estrogen-like chemical used to make plastic is present in humans at levels similar to those shown to be harmful in animal experiments.

The assessment, appearing in the current edition of the journal Reproductive Toxicology, is likely to raise further health concerns about the controversial chemical. Although bisphenol A has been known for decades to act like a hormone, companies have been using it to make everything from polycarbonate plastic baby bottles and office water jugs to dental sealants and the resin linings on the insides of most tin cans.

Bisphenol A manufacturers have said the trace amount leaching into food and beverages isn't dangerous to people because it's quickly metabolized into a form that loses its ability to act like a female sex hormone.

While the authors of the new assessment agreed that people break down some of the bisphenol A they absorb, they said since so many plastics and other products containing it are in use that "virtually everybody" in developed countries has chronic, low-level exposure to the chemical and measurable amounts of its biologically active version.

Typical readings are about two parts per billion in blood. Although this is an extremely small amount, hormones are active at this level, and at even lower concentrations.

Based on the amounts being found in people and what is known about the metabolism of bisphenol A from animal experiments, it also appears that human exposures are above the current U.S. safety limit, according to the assessment.

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