Estrogen analog BPA shown to enter urine during normal use

[ science, health, ]
June 05, 2009

Bisphenol-A (BPA), an estrogen analog used in polycarbonate and other plastic manufacture, has been shown to enter the urine during "normal" use (i.e. putting cold water in a polycarbonate bottle and drinking it).

Previously, it had been shown to leech into the water contained in a polycarbonate container, but industry maintained it hadn't been shown to get into humans (nevertheless, most polycarbonate baby bottles were pulled or made with something else).

In much creepier related news, BPA-industry officials got together to discuss how to continue to sell something they know is a poison to the public. Consensus? Scare tactics! The cynic in me isn't surprised, but it's still a little shocking to see such blantant morally reprehensible behavior from companies. More: Media report of meeting, excerpt from leeked minutes and discussion on BoingBoing.