Statement
For Immediate Release April 18, 2008
Contact: Tiffany Harrington (703) 741-5583
Email: Tiffany_Harrington@americanchemistry.com

Download Statement (PDF 88 KB)

ARLINGTON, VA — The American Chemistry Council (ACC) respects the jurisdiction of Health Canada to protect the health and safety of Canadians with respect to the use of consumer products. Canadian families should expect no less from their government.

Consistent with the safety evaluations conducted by many other scientific and government bodies, the draft assessment released today by Health Canada confirms that health risks to the general population in Canada from exposure to bisphenol A are negligible. The assessment also confirms that the Canadian population is exposed to only very low levels of bisphenol A from use of consumer products.

“The weight of scientific evidence, as assessed by Health Canada and other agencies around the world, provides reassurance that consumers can continue to safely use products made from bisphenol A,” stated Steven G. Hentges, Ph.D., of the American Chemistry Council’s Polycarbonate/BPA Global Group. “Consumer products made from polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins, including products for infants and children, are accepted as safe for use, and used, around the world.”

While the safety of consumer products for all age groups, in particular for adults, is reaffirmed by Health Canada’s scientific assessment of bisphenol A, ACC supports Health Canada’s goal to further minimize any potential risks to infants and children. However, consumer product bans are not supported by science and are inconsistent with Health Canada’s assessment, which found that infants are not exposed to bisphenol A at harmful levels.

“We strongly support scientific research on the safety of bisphenol A and have conducted extensive research ourselves for many years,” stated Dr. Hentges. “We will continue to participate in the ongoing process for the Canadian government’s Chemicals Management Plan and are currently conducting a comprehensive study that will help address one of the areas for additional scientific study identified in the Health Canada assessment.”

While consumers should have confidence in the safety of these products, we have called on the US Food and Drug Administration, as the premier authority on food safety in the US, to re-review the safety of bisphenol A for additional reassurance to the public on the safety of consumer products.

Many common consumer products that contribute to healthier and safer lives are based on plastics and resins made from bisphenol A, which has a 50 year safety track record. Shatter-resistant and clear polycarbonate plastic is used in a wide array of products ranging from plastic bottles and eyeglasses to sports safety equipment, as well as components of life saving medical devices such as incubators and kidney dialysis machines. Durable epoxy resins are used as the coating in most food and beverage cans, helping to protect the safety and integrity of our food supply. Learn more about bisphenol A at www.bisphenol-A.org.

Learn more facts on plastic.