On the basis of a new scientific study by American researchers, published on Wednesday 7 March and relating to the links between early life exposure to Bisphenol-A (BPA) and the development of hyperactivity, the NGO HEAL (Health and Environment Alliance) said, that same day, that the study made it all the more urgent to take action to drastically reduce exposure of citizens to this chemical substance recognised as an endocrine disruptor.
The study, which reviews all data available, for humans and animals, concludes that early exposure to BPA leads to the presumed danger of hyperactivity in humans.
“The practical implication should be that exposure to known endocrine disruptors such as BPA should be fully avoided at all costs in all relevant consumer items, with priority given to food contact materials, toys, or cosmetics, which are major channels for exposure. No exception should be made for recycled materials”, comments Natacha Cingotti, an expert with HEAL on chemical products and health, in a press release.
The European Commission has indeed proposed, in a draft regulation, to lower the limit of specific migration of BPA in materials that come into contact with foodstuffs, rather than a total ban on the substance, to the great disappointment of some MEPs who call for the Commission to explain this (see EUROPE 11954).
Health protection NGOs had already spoken out on 5 March, the day of the EU Environment Council, so that the European Commission and member states would take citizens’ health into account in implementation of the EU strategy on plastics, in order to prevent toxic chemical substances entering finished recycled products (see EUROPE 11974).
The scientific study is available on line: http://bit.ly/2nECrj4. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)