Is Bisphenol-A Really a Carcinogen?

Dr. Ian C. Munroe writes:

I would like to point out the misinformation in your response to a question about the safety of bottles made of #7 plastic, where you imply that bisphenol-A (BPA) is a carcinogenic risk. (...) I agree that the National Toxicology Program (NTP) is a credible source of information; however, upon my review of the NTP report and website (NTP, 1982), I have been unable to find where BPA is listed as a "probable carcinogen."

Dr. Ian C. Munroe
Mississauga, Ontario

The Green Guide Responds:

Dear Dr. Munroe,

Thank you for your letter regarding our statement in "Is This Water Safe To Drink?" that bisphenol-A is "considered a probable carcinogen by the U.S. National Toxicology Program." We have consulted with the National Toxicology Program and learned that bisphenol-A had been selected for in-depth testing for its human carcinogenicity, but the analysis found it is "unclassifiable as to carcinogenicity to humans." Since as of now there is no human carcinogenicity evaluation available and the animal data does not suggest human carcinogenicity, it is clear we were mistaken in the assertion.

As for the potential health effects of bisphenol-A, it is still regarded as a hormone disruptor and recent research published in the Current Biology (April 1, 2003) indicates that bisphenol-A exposure in pregnant mice resulted in errors in fetal cell division. The authors of the study, however, state that they do not know whether the same effects would occur in humans.