California Announces That It Will Declare Bisphenol A (BPA) Reproductive Hazard
California today announced its intent to declare bisphenol A a reproductive hazard. Under a state law known as Prop. 65, warning signs would be required for consumer items that contain a certain high level of BPA. The chemical is used to make polycarbonate plastic, and also is found in liners of food and beverage cans and some thermal receipts.
Scientists say BPA is an estrogen-like substance that can alter reproductive hormones. California's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment said it based its decision to list BPA as a Prop. 65 chemical on a 2008 report by the National Toxicology Program.
"Bisphenol A meets the criteria for listing as known to the State to cause reproductive toxicity (developmental endpoint) under Proposition 65, based on findings of NTP [the National Toxicology Program]," according to the state agency.
"OEHHA is relying on the NTPs conclusion in the report that there is clear evidence of adverse developmental effects in laboratory animals at 'high' levels of exposure," according to the state's decision. The decision was based on laboratory tests by scientists that have shown effects on the body weight, litter size and sexual development of pups when pregnant rats and mice are exposed to high levels of BPA.
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http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/news/2013/california-bpa