Is it safe to drink the water?

Can you be both green and safe is the question asked by Alina Tugend in her NY Times article this weekend. She raises concerns about the re-use of plastic containers especially bottles for drinking water.

The Elsevier journal Reproductive Toxicology (2007) volume 24 issue 2 reported the findings of the meeting mentioned by vom Saal on Bisphenol A. There is a great summary lead article in the issue, highlighting those areas of research that the group felt (based upon existing data) a) confident with; b) likely but required confirmation; and c) areas of uncertainty requiring further research.

So, is the water safe to drink? We don't know yet - more studies are being performed - watch this space!

More Bisphenol A

The results are in! The National Toxicology Program (NTP) announced their findings yesterday on reproductive risks associated with BPA.

A nice summary in the LA Times said: "some concern" about neurological and behavioral effects in fetuses, infants and children, but "minimal" or "negligible" concern about reproductive effects.

I am sure the discussions are far from over!!

Bisphenol A

is (again) a new hot contentious topic. A common building block of many plastic items in our daily lives, there is still open debate as to the 'correct' safe exposure levels. We will shortly publish a themed or special issue in Reproductive Toxicology on this chemical. Advance press coverage last week of the results has lead to a number of public awareness / news paper articles - including the LA Times, Environmental Health News, and USA Today and in other science blogs.

We may see later this week, what impact these reports have upon the NIH when they meet to discuss the safe levels of BPA.