All Your Green Blog

The WSJ reported recently that the FDA is claiming that there isn't enough evidence to support the current panic over Bisphenol A, a chemical in plastics that was identified as a potential risk to children and infants.

To quote their quote of a "senior FDA scientist":
[A] large body of available evidence indicates that food contact materials containing BPA currently on the market are safe, and that exposure levels to BPA from these materials, including exposure to infants and children, are below those that may cause health effects.

A month ago, the Department of Health and Human Services claimed:
The possibility that bisphenol A may alter human development cannot be dismissed

So, what happened in a month? Did the risk go away? Is there a government cover-up and conspiracy over the danger associated with plastic bottles?

In short, NO. This is the scientific process. The claim of the FDA scientist was a description of evidence, not an opinion. There is no other source of information and truth than the evidence available. The only thing to do now is continue to gather more information, and see whether the theory of the risk pans out.

Some people see conflicting sides to a scientific subject, and claim that "science doesn't know anything" or worse "scientists keep changing their minds! They must be wrong!" It's the scientific process! You develop a theory, then test it, and revise it for another round. So, in the end, what does this mean about plastic? It means research continues. No reason to panic! In the meantime, it's up to you whether to play it safe or not. The wasted resources and trash associated with single-use plastic bottles is enough for me. Health concerns were coincidental anyway!

Yay Science. Yay stainless steel water bottles. Both rock.

• WSJ: FDA: Bisphenol A in Plastic Bottles is Safe
• WSJ: Worries Grow Over Bisphenol A in Plastics