The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation announces the witnesses for a Consumer Affairs, Insurance, and Automotive Safety Subcommittee hearing on Plastic Additives in Consumer Products. The witnesses are listed below.
Recent press reports have highlighted two types of chemicals widely used in consumer products, phthalates and bisphenol-A (BPA), which scientists have found to leach out of plastic and pose an exposure risk to consumers. Phthalates are a common class of chemicals used in many household products to improve flexibility in plastics. BPA is most commonly found in baby bottles, water bottles, and other food containers.
Food Safety
The hearing will examine: 1) chemicals in plastics found in consumer products, specifically phthalates and BPA; 2) the health implications of these chemicals and their alternatives; and 3) federal government assessments of the toxicity of these chemicals. Senator Pryor will preside.
Plastic Additives in Consumer Products
Consumer Affairs, Insurance, and Automotive Safety Subcommittee
Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Location: Room 253, Russell Senate Office Building
Witnesses:
Panel I
Dr. Norris Alderson, Associate Commissioner for Science, Food and Drug Administration
Dr. Marilyn Wind, Deputy Associate Executive Director for Health Sciences, Consumer Product Safety Commission
Panel II
Dr. John Peterson Myers, CEO/Chief Scientist, Environmental Health Sciences
Ms. Elizabeth Hitchcock, Public Health Advocate, U.S. PIRG
Dr. Steve Hentges, Senior Director, Polycarbonate/BPA Global Group, American Chemistry Council