Could Plastic be the Next Tobacco?

On good advice, Cryptic Moth headed south from Nebraska to the University of Missouri-Columbia. We wanted to interview Dr. Frederick vom Saal, a leading researcher in developmental biology. His most recent - and controversial - research has been on the biological impact of synthetic hormones like Bisphenol A (BPA) used in many plastic products - think CD's, eyeglasses, dental sealants and many polycarbonate baby products. When heated or exposed to detergents, BPA can leech from the plastic.



What has made his findings so alarming, however, is the fact that only a miniscule amount - only a trillionth of a gram - can alter the development of the brain, the liver and reproductive organs. His tests on mice were quickly refuted by industry-funded studies as non-replacable but vom Saal insists there are some 20 peer-reviewed scientific studies that duplicated his findings (endocrinedisruptors.missouri.edu).



More than 6 billion pounds of BPA is produced every year. Since polycarbonate isn't recycled, much of that BPA threatens to contaminate groundwater. And because no technology exists to remove BPA from our waterways, we end up absorbing most of this chemical through bathing. Recent government studies already show most us have significant levels of BPA, the greatest at risk being developing fetuses.



Vom Saal also told us how a plastic company practically bribed him if he changed his findings and how 2 network news shows shelved in-depth interviews with him. Sound familiar?

After spending 3 hours with vom Saal, Cryptic Moth headed to Minneapolis for the weekend. We thought a ballgame might lift our spirits.



Out.

I+G