"Legal Battle Erupts Over Whose Plastic Consumers Should Trust"

Eastman Chemical is suing a scientist for saying that some of its products could expose consumers to estrogen-disrupting chemicals.

"In 2007, Eastman Chemical began marketing a tough new BPA-free plastic called Tritan. Business was good, says Lucian Boldea, a vice president at Eastman.

'We were able to make the statement that our product is not made with BPA and would release data to consumers to support that fact,' he says.

BPA, short for bisphenol A, is a chemical that can act like the hormone estrogen. While environmental groups and the government still disagree about whether BPA or any estrogen-like chemicals pose a health risk, consumers are clear that they want Sippy cups and water bottles made of plastics they consider safe.
 
About a year ago, a scientist named George Bittner published a study of more than 400 plastic products, including some made with Tritan. Bittner is the founder of PlastiPure and CertiChem, which tests products for chemicals that act like estrogen. PlastiPure helps manufacturers make EA-free plastic products — plastics free of any chemical with estrogen-like activity.

Bittner's study found problems with a wide range of BPA-free products, including Tritan."

Jon Hamilton reports for NPR's Shots health blog July 30, 2012.

SEE ALSO:

"Plastics Chemicals Linked To Diabetes in Women; Blacks and Hispanics Most Exposed" (Environmental Health News)

"Women At Risk: Health Problems Linked To Environmental Estrogens" (Environmental Health News)