Health

On Friday, the United States Food and Drug Administration rejected the National Resources Defense Council's citizen's petition to ban BPA in food packaging. Today, TIME magazine reports that even when evidence against a toxic chemical is scary, if the evidence is seen as even the least bit uncertain, the regulatory agency will fold. Bryan Walsh writes:

The New York Times Magazine has a chilling story forthcoming this weekend about 6-year-old Ainsley, who is already showing signs of puberty. One of the key culprits mentioned in the piece is high levels of endocrine disruptors, such as bisphenol A (BPA), in our food supply. Reporter Elizabeth Weil writes:

In an article run by the Green Prophet today, Plastic Pollution Coalition's Executive Director Daniella Dimitrova Russo, writes about the prolific nature of chemicals and toxic substances in everyday items. A growing body of scientific research suggests that the chemicals commonly found in plastics are now being seen to have harmful effects on the human body. She writes:

In this article from The Daily, writer David Knowles discusses the controversy surrounding the chemical bisphenol-A (BPA), and new linkages that research has been finding between it and the increasing obesity levels noted on a global level. While many conflicting studies have been released in the past with regards to the effects of BPA on the human body, new studies suggest that it might play an important role in the production of fat cells at an early age. Knowles writes:

The pressure is on the United States Food and Drug Administration this week and next as they prepare to issue a ruling regarding the use of bisphenol A (BPA) in food and drink containers and packaging.

Water justice means a lot of things to a lot of people. Depending on where you live, water rights may be an ongoing struggle. Finding free, clean drinking water in public can be a struggle. Even at home, fresh running water is not something everyone can take for granted. But should we be forced to buy water in bottles? Isn’t there another way?

This month, in collaboration with the Breast Cancer Fund, Physicians for Social Responsibility, and notable coalition members such as actor Jeff Bridges and author Bill McKibben, the Plastic Pollution Coalition is calling on the United States Food and Drug Administration to ban the use of bisphenol A (BPA) in food and drink containers and packaging. A known endocrine disruptor, BPA has been linked to autism and attention deficit disorders, heart disease in women, diabetes, obesity, depression, and infertility.

Last month, we ran a piece about how bisphenol A, or BPA, has been linked to obesity and diabetes in a United States study. Today, a new report further backs these findings and expands the reach of the issue. BPA is only one culprit in the rise of obesity and diabetes, alongside other chemicals found in plastics such as phthalates (or PCBs).

This week, scientists have released a frightening study that shows how many chemicals interact with living cells in unprecidented ways. Yale Environment 360 has a helpful overview of the new report that pulls together more than 800 studies about endocrine disruptors and their health impacts. It emphasizes why we desperately need a new approach to chemical safety testing. Elizabeth Grossman writes: