ACC: Study Published In American Heart Association Journal Hypertension Will Inappropriately Concern And Confuse Consumers About BPA And Increased Blood Pressure

WASHINGTON, Dec. 8, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Chemistry Council (ACC) offers the following comments regarding a study published today by Sanghyuk Bae and Yun-Chul Hongl in the American Heart Association journal, Hypertension, entitled "Exposure to Bisphenol A From Drinking Canned Beverage Increases Blood Pressure." Quotes from the following may be attributed to Steven G. Hentges, Ph.D. of ACC's Polycarbonate/BPA Global Group.

"This study's claim that BPA, which is safely used in can linings to protect food and beverages from contamination, 'may pose a substantial health risk' is a gross overstatement of the findings, an incredible disservice to public health, and runs contrary to years of research by government scientists.

"The authors' conclusions from this small-scale study significantly over-interpret the data measured in the study. As reported by the authors, there were no statistically significant differences in the primary blood pressure measurements of the three treatment groups, whether participants drank soy milk from glass bottles or cans.

"Additionally, the promotional materials that accompanied the study suggested that exposure to BPA from drinking any canned beverage can increase blood pressure. These statements are not supported by the study's findings and will inappropriately alarm consumers. The study only examined soy milk, which is not at all representative of all canned beverages. 

"As noted by the authors, blood pressure is believed to be controlled by estrogen receptors and it is well-known that soy milk naturally contains variable levels of estrogenic substances. Accordingly, the use of soy milk in the study confounds the results. BPA is only weakly estrogenic and trace levels of BPA in the diet have been shown to be far too low to cause any estrogenic effects. Slight differences in blood pressure reported in the study may be due to the soy milk itself, but are not likely related to trace levels of BPA.

"Many government bodies around the world have evaluated the scientific evidence on BPA and have clearly stated that BPA is safe as used in food contact materials. For example, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), responded last year to the question, 'Is BPA safe?' with one unambiguous word: 'Yes.' Supporting this clear conclusion is one of the largest studies ever conducted on BPA, which was published by FDA researchers early this year. One of the lead FDA researchers commented that the results of this comprehensive subchronic toxicity study 'both support and extend the conclusion from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that BPA is safe as currently used.'

"Research funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and conducted by scientists at FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the government's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, (Teeguarden et al.) found that, because of the way BPA is processed in the body, it is very unlikely that BPA could cause health effects at any realistic exposure level."

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The American Chemistry Council (ACC) represents the leading companies engaged in the business of chemistry. ACC members apply the science of chemistry to make innovative products and services that make people's lives better, healthier and safer. ACC is committed to improved environmental, health and safety performance through Responsible Care®, common sense advocacy designed to address major public policy issues, and health and environmental research and product testing. The business of chemistry is an $812 billion enterprise and a key element of the nation's economy. It is the nation's largest exporter, accounting for twelve percent of all U.S. exports. Chemistry companies are among the largest investors in research and development. Safety and security have always been primary concerns of ACC members, and they have intensified their efforts, working closely with government agencies to improve security and to defend against any threat to the nation's critical infrastructure.

Contact: Kathryn St. John (202) 249-6513
Email: [email protected]

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SOURCE American Chemistry Council

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