Have you heard of bisphenol-A? Probably not, but you can find it in just about everything. Dow is one of the world’s leading producers of the chemical, which can be found in everything from compact discs and eyeglasses to Nalgene water bottles, toys, pacifiers, baby bottles and teethers. The chemical is also used in epoxy resins that coat food cans, bottle tops and water supply pipes, and as sealants for children’s teeth for the prevention of cavities.
However a recent article in the Guardian reports that scientists at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston have linked the ubiquitous bisphenol-A to breast cancer – a worrying thought for Dow, since 183,000 new cases are reported each year in the United States alone, along with 46,000 annual deaths.
Does Dow have anything to hide? Apparently so: in an investigation into endocrine disruptor chemicals on PBS’ Frontline, Dr. Frederick Vom Saal, a scientist and Professor from the University of Missouri, alleges that Dow Chemical asked him to withhold the results of a study he conducted on bisphenol-A. Vom Saal says that Dow “essentially asked if there were a mutually beneficial outcome that we could arrive at where I held off publishing the information about this chemical until they had repeated my studies, and after repeating my studies, approval for publication was received by all the plastic manufacturers.” More information about the experiments, as well as the industry’s subsequent attempt to undermine Vom Saal’s credibility, is available here.
How low can Dow go? How many people are suffering today because of this criminal corporation?