You've probably heard it said that when it comes to toxic chemicals, the dose makes the poison. A teeny bit of a bad thing can't hurt too much, right? Wrong.
The more we learn about some toxic chemicals, the more we know it’s time to toss out this old “wisdom.” Take the hormone-mimicking chemical bisphenol A, or BPA. Yesterday, the Endocrine Society released its first-ever scientific statement on BPA, which reiterates what dozens of studies have shown: BPA can interfere with our hormone system even at exquisitely low doses and that this is especially true for children exposed during critical development windows (including before birth). But these bold scientists went even further. They said that while they still have questions about BPA, there’s clearly enough evidence of concern to take a "precautionary approach" by reducing exposures; and that (hold onto your seat, folks) the Endocrine Society should “actively engage in lobbying for regulation seeking to decrease human exposure” to BPA. (Check out the USA Today article for more details.)
This is big! The “world's oldest, largest and most active organization devoted to research on hormones and the clinical practice of endocrinology”—not quite a rowdy bunch of activists—is calling for immediate action against BPA. The movement, which the Breast Cancer Fund has been leading and helping to build, is growing! Join us!
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