Opening a plastic-lined can of worms Back in July 2006, Dr. Wright wrote a Nutrition & Healing article about the dangers of a chemical called bisphenol A, which can be found in many plastics. Well, he's not the only one concerned about this potential toxin -- and it looks like one researcher has blown the lid off of a can of worms the plastic-industry powers-that-be were hoping would stay closed for good.
In the mid-90s, a University of Missouri professor named Fred vom Saal began researching bisphenol A's effects on developing fetuses -- particularly whether this chemical is able to bypass the natural barrier the body puts in place to protect fetuses from damage. Vom Saal and his research team found that not only can bisphenol A bypass that protective barrier, but it also has negative effects at concentrations "2,500 times lower than the chemical industry said could cause harm."
What happened next might as well have been straight out of a John Grisham novel: vom Saal and one of his colleagues received a visit from a plastic-industry insider who apparently attempted to bribe the researchers into not publishing their findings. Vom Saal and his colleague refused, published their study, and proceeded to make their "visit" from the industry insider public knowledge to as many sources as possible (including the FDA).
The plastic company in question actually admits that a representative did visit vom Saal and ask him to withhold the study. Of course, they say it was simply a matter of wanting vom Saal to research several other points prior to publishing his findings. And, of course, they deny the accusation of bribery.
Any way you slice it, this whole situation just plain stinks. I certainly didn't walk away from his article or Dr. Wright's with any information or insight that would make me trust anything the plastic industry had to say -- or feel safe using products that contain bisphenol A.
For more information on this topic, refer back to the July 2006 issue of Nutrition & Healing. Current subscribers can download and view it for free by visiting www.wrightnewsletter.com and logging on to the archives with the username and password listed on page 8 of your most recent newsletter. Source:
"Researcher calling for ban of plastics chemical says major chemical company tried to silence his report," News
Target (www.newstarget.com), 12/5/06 |
