Spring Break
Container chemical causes controversy
Bisphenol A exposure linked to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, according to study
Deborah L. Shelton
Issue date: 9/22/08 Section: Money/Health
For the study released Wednesday, Dr. David Melzer and colleagues from the Peninsula Medical School in Exeter, England, divided a representative sample of 1,455 U.S. residents' ages 18 to 74 into quartiles based on BPA concentrations in their urine. The BPA data came from a 2003-2004 survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The researchers found that people in the group with the highest concentration of BPA had almost three times the odds of cardiovascular disease as did those in the lowest quartile, even when factors such as race, income and education levels were accounted for. That group had a 2.4 times higher risk of diabetes.
Higher BPA levels also were associated with clinically abnormal concentrations of three liver enzymes. Researchers did not find a link to any other health problems, including cancer or respiratory disease.
Though previous research in animals had linked BPA to diabetes and liver damage, Melzer said the new finding on human heart disease was unexpected.
Steven G. Hentges, executive director of the Polycarbonate/BPA Global Group of the American Chemistry Council, an industry trade group, noted several limitations of the research.
"Urinary concentrations tell you the exposure over the last 24 hours, but heart disease and diabetes do not occur overnight," he said. "Bisphenol A would have to be measured over the time period when heart disease or diabetes is actually occurring, so that's a major limitation of the study."
Hentges also said the study showed that people were being exposed to very low levels of the chemical, "levels that are far below scientific-based safety standards established by government agencies."
Small amounts of BPA can leach into the contents of food or drinks from some types of plastic containers and the linings of cans. The chemical is excreted in urine, making urinary tests the best available measure of recent exposure, the researchers said.
The authors cautioned that further research is needed to confirm their findings.
The researchers found that people in the group with the highest concentration of BPA had almost three times the odds of cardiovascular disease as did those in the lowest quartile, even when factors such as race, income and education levels were accounted for. That group had a 2.4 times higher risk of diabetes.
Higher BPA levels also were associated with clinically abnormal concentrations of three liver enzymes. Researchers did not find a link to any other health problems, including cancer or respiratory disease.
Though previous research in animals had linked BPA to diabetes and liver damage, Melzer said the new finding on human heart disease was unexpected.
Steven G. Hentges, executive director of the Polycarbonate/BPA Global Group of the American Chemistry Council, an industry trade group, noted several limitations of the research.
"Urinary concentrations tell you the exposure over the last 24 hours, but heart disease and diabetes do not occur overnight," he said. "Bisphenol A would have to be measured over the time period when heart disease or diabetes is actually occurring, so that's a major limitation of the study."
Hentges also said the study showed that people were being exposed to very low levels of the chemical, "levels that are far below scientific-based safety standards established by government agencies."
Small amounts of BPA can leach into the contents of food or drinks from some types of plastic containers and the linings of cans. The chemical is excreted in urine, making urinary tests the best available measure of recent exposure, the researchers said.
The authors cautioned that further research is needed to confirm their findings.
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