Scientists chastise FDA on chemical

WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 (UPI) -- A group of scientists say the U.S. Food and Drug Administration investigation into a chemical widely used in household products is taking far too long.

The 33 scientists, mostly university researchers who have studied bisphenol A, have written a letter to Margaret Hamburg, head of the FDA, suggesting millions of dollars are being wasted and public health put at risk by the delay, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Tuesday. The letter was sent by R. Thomas Zoeller, a biology professor at the University of Massachusetts.

"FDA's plans to spend significant time and money on a very well researched chemical are disturbing," the scientists said.

The FDA recently announced it would issue a new finding on BPA's safety by Nov. 30.

Studies of BPA, which is used in the manufacture of hard clear plastic, have linked it to cell changes associated with breast and prostate cancer and it has also been linked to other diseases, including heart disease and diabetes. Researchers have found more than 90 percent of U.S. residents have BPA in their urine.

In 2007, a survey by the Journal Sentinel found that 80 percent of the studies on BPA found it caused harm. The studies funded by the chemical industry found it to be harmless.