Chapter 1. Is BPA a Toxin?

Introduction

Bisphenol A, or BPA as it is more commonly known, is a synthetic chemical. Since the late 1940s, it has been used in the linings of metal food cans and in many plastic products. But mounting evidence has implicated BPA in medical issues ranging from impaired neurological and sexual development to cancer.

Bisphenol A, or BPA as it is more commonly known, is a synthetic chemical. Since the late 1940s, it has been used in the linings of metal food cans and in many plastic products. But mounting evidence has implicated BPA in medical issues ranging from impaired neurological and sexual development to cancer.

In 2008, a panel of scientists known as the National Toxicology Program stated they had "some concern" about the effects of BPA on human development. Both Canada and the European Union had recently banned the use of BPA in baby bottles and baby food cans. Most panelists felt this was too drastic a step, but they also thought it would be prudent for industries that use BPA to look for a replacement.

Sources of Information

First, let's learn about types of information sources.

Sources of Information

Analyzing BPA Information Sources

The first BPA information source we are going to analyze is from the National Toxicology Program (NTP):

http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/sya/sya-bpa/

(please copy and paste the URL into your browser's address bar)

Take some time to read the information on this page and evaluate it for yourself, then answer the following questions.

What type of resource is this particular website?

A.

primary

B.

secondary

C.

tertiary

3

Correct. This is a secondary source prepared by a government agency.

Try again.

Incorrect.

Do the credentials of the organization running the site make the information presented reliable or unreliable? Explain.

1

Correct.

Try again.

Incorrect.

The next website we're going to look at is an editorial on Bisphenol A:

http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetchArticle.action?articleURI=info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.12492

(please copy and paste the URL into your browser's address bar).

Scroll down to the list of references at the bottom of the article and review the references to answer the following question.

What data sources does NTP rely on? Are these data sources reliable? Why or why not?

1

Correct.

Try again.

Incorrect.

Now, listen to the NTP's conclusions on BPA, presented by Dr. John Bucher, associate director of the NTP.

(Paste the following URL into your browser's address bar to download the audio file directly from the NTP: http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/assets/audiovideo/dr_bucher_presents_key_ntp_conclusions_on_bpa.mp3)

What did the NTP conclude?

A.

The NTP has no concern about BPA's affect on human development.

B.

The NTP has some concern about BPA's affect on human development.

C.

The NTP has serious concern about BPA's affect on human development.

3

Correct.

Try again.

Incorrect.

Next, listen to Dr. John Bucher explain what the NTP means by "some concern."

(Paste the following URL into your browser's address bar to download the audio file directly from the NTP: http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/assets/audiovideo/dr_bucher_describes_what_some_concern_means.mp3)

What does "some concern" mean?

A.

There are sufficient data from studies in humans to reach a conclusion on reproductive or developmental hazards presented by current exposures to BPA.

B.

There is limited evidence of developmental changes occurring in some animal studies at doses that are experienced by humans.

2

Correct. Based on the limited evidence of developmental changes from animal studies, the NTP concluded that the "possibility of adverse health effects [of BPA] cannot be dismissed." The NTP also offers ways for people to decrease their exposure to BPA, such as reducing the use of canned foods, opting for glass containers when possible, and using BPA-free baby bottles.

Try again.

Incorrect.

Analyzing BPA Information Sources (part II)

(Photo by David McNew/Getty Images North America)

The second information source we're going to analyze is a report by the Oregon Environmental Council, titled "Safer Alternatives to Bisphenol A (BPA)":

http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetchArticle.action?articleURI=info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.12492

(please copy and paste the URL into your browser's address bar).

Is BPA a Toxin?

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