A clutch of papers raising concerns about health effects & environmental impact of bisphenol A are discussed in the American Chemical Society magazine C&EN. The magazine reports that low levels of human exposure to bisphenol A (BPA), a compound widely used in the manufacture of polycarbonate & epoxy resins, could have adverse health affects. Four toxicology studies demonstrate health effects as diverse as increased rates of breast & prostate cancer, reproductive abnormalities, obesity, & insulin-dependent diabetes. The magazines also reports that, despite growing evidence of toxic effects in lab animals, manufacturers of BPA say the product is safe. In stark contrast with the papers highlighted in the article, C&EN also reports that the European Food Safety Authority stated recently that there are no adverse effects of BPA
