Democrats in Congress are investigating the chemical industry’s influence in regulating the chemical bisphenol A, which is widely used in many plastic products and the lining of food cans. Over the years, plenty of evidence has surfaced that bisphenol A can potentially harm human health as it can mimic the effects of estrogen and has been shown to affect the health of lab animals even at very low doses; BPA has also been linked to breast and prostate cancer. However, the U.S. EPA and the Food and Drug Administration have insisted on BPA’s safety, due largely to industry studies that conclude the chemical poses little risk, despite over 100 non-industry studies to the contrary. One focus of the congressional investigation will be the role played by a for-hire private firm specializing in defending products from legal and regulatory action. Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.), who is leading the investigation, said the group’s tactics “raise serious questions about whether science is for sale at these consulting groups, and the effect this faulty science might have on the public health.”
