In an article published on March 4, 2015 in the news magazine Newsweek, journalist Douglas Main discusses some of the controversial issues surrounding bisphenol A (BPA, CAS 80-05-7). Main presents opposing views on BPA, as Newsweek spoke with about 20 leading academic and government scientists in the field of BPA research as well as chemical industry representatives. The majority of research scientists say it is highly likely that BPA contributes to the development of various health conditions, including obesity, diabetes, fertility issues and others. By contrast, representatives of the chemical industry associations claim that exposure to the substance does not present any risk to consumer health. Main also discusses funding bias in BPA research. He points to one 2006 analysis by researchers Frederick vom Saal and Wade Welshons of the University of Missouri-Columbia, U.S. showing that 11 out of 11 industry-funded studies found BPA had no significant action. By contrast, 109 of 119 studies without industry funding (92%) did find significant effects of low dose exposure to BPA. This kind of disparity does not make sense from a scientific perspective, says Andrea Gore, professor at the University of Texas at Austin, U.S. and editor-in-chief of the journal Endocrinology. There is a strong influence among the chemical industries and their lobbyists. They have the money and time that academic researchers do not have, Gore adds. For instance, in 2013 the industry association American Chemistry Council (ACC) spent more than $11 million USD on lobbying, Main highlights.
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Douglas Main (March 4, 2015). “BPA is fine, if you ignore most studies about it.” Newsweek
