Low dose effects of Bisphenol a

[Michael Warhurst <mikewh@foe.co.uk>]

Today's Nature (21st October 1999, vol 401 p762-764) has a brief
communication entitled 'Exposure to bisphenol a advances puberty', by
Howdeshell, K.L., Hotchkiss, A.K., Thayer, K.A., Vandenbergh, J.G. and
vom Saal, F.S..

The research shows that female mice exposed in the womb to low doses of
bisphenol a (2.4 micro-g per kg per day to the mother) had a
significantly reduced delay between vaginal opening and first vaginal
oestrus. They also used information on litter position in the womb,
which showed that those females positioned between female litter mates
were most affected by bisphenol a, those between males were least
affected.

At the start of the article they mention research which has found
earlier sexual maturation occuring in girls (Herman-Giddens, M.E., et
al., Secondary sexual characteristics and menses in young girls seen in
office practice: A study from the pediatric research in office settings
network. Pediatrics, 1997. 99(4): p. 505-512.).

Background information about bisphenol a is available on my web site;
the site is somewhat dated at the moment, but is currently under
revision:

http://website.lineone.net/~mwarhurst/bisphenol.html


Michael Warhurst
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Sustainable use of chemicals:
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Dr. A. Michael Warhurst
Industry and Pollution Campaigner
Friends of the Earth
26-28 Underwood Street
London N1 7JQ
Tel: 0171 566 1685
Fax: 0171 490 0881
Email: michaelw@foe.co.uk
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