The use of bisphenol A is widespread, with detectable levels found in the urine of 93 percent of Americans above age six or older. In response to growing concern regarding negative health implications, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and National Toxicology Program “developed an integrated, multipronged, consortium-based approach to optimize BPA-focused research investments to more effectively address data gaps and inform decision making.” The Consortium Linking Academic and Regulatory Insights on BPA Toxicity, or CLARITY-BPA, brought together researchers and regulators to address major questions and areas of concern regarding BPA. Results from this study were unveiled in early March 2018, and the findings have been met with mixed reviews by the academic researchers themselves.

The core study consists of pregnant rats being exposed to BPA from gestation to birth, with most of the offspring continuing to be exposed for an additional two years. Doses, ranging from relative human exposures to much higher levels, were not found to produce a significant effect on the animals. According to Stephen Ostroff, the FDA’s deputy commissioner for foods and veterinary medicine, this “initial review ‘supports the FDA’s opinion that currently authorized uses of BPA continue to be safe for consumers. However, he added that some areas ‘merit further research”, including an increase in the occurrence of mammary gland tumors with BPA exposure.”

While industry representatives have also lauded the results, participating researchers and other academics urge additional analysis to understand the limitations of the study. They note that the endpoints highlighted in the study (including organ weight and body weight) are not specific or sensitive to endocrine disruption, evidence of which has been found at lower doses similar to the typical human experience. Since these endpoints are not identified in standard toxicology assays, CLARITY-BPA seeks to collaborate with academics who can conduct more sensitive endocrine disrupting tests and compare the results. Some examples of these effects include, “changes in brain region sizes and gene expression; spatial navigation and memory deficits; ovarian follicle numbers; sex steroid levels; collagen accumulation in the heart in a sex-specific manner; and increased prostate stem cell numbers.”

[Source: Chemical Watch]