Bisphenol A Could Trigger Brain, Behavior Problems

A government panel with huge influence on the decision to restrict the use of a common chemical called bisphenol A found "minimal risk" that exposure to the chemical in the womb would trigger many health problems.

But its review of available science found "some concern" that bisphenol A, or BPA, causes neural and behavioral problems if fetuses or young children are exposed, according to the USA Today report. It dismissed claims that the chemical could cause a variety of other problems -- from prostate malfunction to accelerated puberty, birth defects or reproductive problems.

The concern about bisphenol A -- as a volley of scientific studies publicized this week show -- is that it can mimic the hormone estrogen, and therefore may cause biological effects at minute levels. It has been detected in the bodies of virtually every American tested, making the government's decision about its toxicity critically important.

Before the panel even released its report, critics complained that it had discounted studies that raised concern and relied heavily on the assessments of industries that use the chemical, like the makers of hard plastics usually designated with the 7 recycling symbol, and the makers of cans, which use bisphenol A in the linings.

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