[9]A coalition of investors and other groups representing more than $26 billion in assets has sent a letter to Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D., [10] commissioner of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), applauding her recent decision to reassess the safety of bisphenol A (BPA), a controversial chemical used in can linings and hard plastics.

In a press release issued by the coalition, the group says: “BPA is known to leach from can linings into food and beverages, and has been found in the urine of over 90% of Americans tested by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Despite evidence linking the chemical to cancer, diabetes, developmental damage, and heart disease in animals, the FDA has maintained its assessment to date that BPA is ‘safe.’”

States Emily Stone of Green Century Capital Management, [11] the investment advisory firm that organized the letter, “As investors, we’re concerned that the use of BPA, particularly in food and beverage packaging, may threaten shareholder value. Companies may face reputational, competitive, or market exclusion risks from using BPA. We are thrilled that the FDA is reconsidering its assessment,”

The letter, signed by 27 investors, investment advisory companies, foundations, and shareholder advocacy groups, urges the FDA to “ensure that sound independent, unbiased science is used to reach its final assessment” of the safety of BPA. The agency has come under fire from many, including its own scientific subcommittee, for depending too heavily on industry data in its prior assessment of BPA’s safety.

According to the coalition, notes released from a recent Joint BPA Trade Association meeting demonstrate industry’s desire to continue playing a role in preventing BPA regulation. According to the notes, participants discussed strategy to “protect industries that use BPA [and] prolong the life of BPA,” including the use of fear tactics and identifying a “holy grail” spokesperson—a pregnant woman—to defend BPA.

Despite the FDA’s position, states such as Connecticut and Minnesota have enacted bans on BPA for some products, and the city of Chicago recently instituted a similar city-wide ban on sippy cups and baby bottles containing BPA.

Some companies are also taking steps to address increasing consumer concern about BPA. The six largest U.S. baby bottle manufacturers made a commitment to eliminate the chemical from products sold in the U.S. in March, and earlier this year a major U.S. chemical manufacturer announced a voluntary policy limiting BPA sales for uses exposing children under three to the chemical.

According to the coalition’s letter, however, “the lack of regulation by the federal government creates disincentives for companies to invest in the research, development, and deployment of alternatives.” An April report written by Green Century and letter signatory As You Sow [12] analyzing the use of BPA in the packaged food and beverage industry found that companies surveyed were taking insufficient steps to move toward alternatives. (See related story, “14 CPGs called on carpet for BPA use." [13])

Says Richard Liroff, executive director of the Investor Environmental Health Network (IEHN), [14] “It seems that every week brings news of yet another scientific research finding adding to the evidence that BPA is hazardous. The FDA should act expeditiously to align its regulatory guidance with the burgeoning science; this will provide a strong signal to the marketplace to speed the transition to safer alternatives.”