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Independent Panel Evaluates Potential Health Risks of
Bisphenol A
| What: |
An independent panel of scientists convened by
the Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction (CERHR)
of the National Toxicology Program (NTP) will review recent scientific
data and expects to reach conclusions regarding whether or not
exposure to a widely used chemical, Bisphenol A (BPA) is hazardous
to human development or reproduction. The NTP is located in Research
Triangle Park, North Carolina, at the National Institutes of Environmental
Health Sciences (NIEHS), one of the National Institutes of Health.
The expert panel met in March, 2007 and worked for 2.5 days to
review and assess the more than 500 scientific BPA-related studies
cited in the report. Because of the length and complexity of this
evaluation, the panel was unable to complete its review and has
scheduled this second meeting to review and revise the draft expert
panel report at http://cerhr.niehs.nih.gov/chemicals/bisphenol/BPA_Interim_DraftRpt.pdf and
write its summary, conclusions and critical data needs.
Details about the meeting, including panel roster and public comments,
are posted on the NTP website at http://cerhr.niehs.nih.gov/chemicals/bisphenol/bisphenol-mtg.html.
The 2.5 day meeting is open to members of the public and the media. |
| When: |
August 6, 8:30 a.m. — 5:00 p.m. (Time is set
aside on the morning of August 6th for oral public comments, limited
to seven minutes per speaker or organization)
August 7, 8:00 a.m. — 5:00 p.m.
August 8, 8:00 a.m. — noon
(The expert panel meeting may end earlier or later each day, depending
on when the panel completes its deliberations.)
Press Availability: Immediately following the meeting
on Wednesday, August 8, 2007.
Members of the media interested in attending the meeting, the
press availability immediately following the meeting, or arranging
phone interviews with the panel Chair or with CERHR staff, please
contact Robin Mackar at (919) 541-0073 or by email at rmackar@niehs.nih.gov. |
| Where: |
Hilton Alexandria Old Town,
1767 King Street, Alexandria, Va. 22314
(located across the street from the King Street Metro Stop)
Tel: 703-837-0440 |
| Why: |
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a high production volume chemical
used in the production of polycarbonate plastic and several types
of resins. Polycarbonate plastics are widely used in a variety
of products including food and drink containers, CDs, DVDs, electrical
and electronic equipment, automobiles, sports safety equipment.
Resins are used as a protective lining in metal food and drink
containers and water supply pipes. In vitro and animal data indicate
that BPA may mimic the natural female sex hormone, estradiol. Exposure
to the general population can occur through direct contact to BPA
or by exposure to food or drink that has been in contact with material
containing BPA.
The Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction (CERHR)
selected this compound for evaluation because of its high volume
of production, widespread human exposure, evidence of reproductive
toxicity in animal studies, and public interest and concern. |
| Background: |
The CERHR was established by the National Institute
of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) as part of the National
Toxicology Program in 1998. Michael Shelby, Ph.D., serves as the
CERHR Director. CERHR convenes a scientific expert panel that meets
in a public forum to review, discuss, and evaluate the scientific
literature on a selected chemical. CERHR selects chemicals for evaluation
based upon several factors including production volume, extent of
human exposure, public concern, and the extent of published information
from reproductive and developmental toxicity studies. The NTP is
a Department of Health and Human Services program established in
1978. It is headquartered at the NIEHS, a part of the National Institutes
of Health. The NIEHS Director, David A. Schwartz, M.D., serves as
the NTP Director. |
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The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), a component of the National Institutes of Health, supports research to understand the effects of the environment on human health. For more information on environmental health topics, please visit our website at http://www.niehs.nih.gov/.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) — The Nation's Medical
Research Agency — includes 27 Institutes and Centers and
is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
It is the primary federal agency for conducting and supporting basic,
clinical and translational medical research, and it investigates the
causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For
more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov. |
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