LETTERS: PLASTICS ENHANCE FOOD SAFETY

To the editor:

We know of no published studies or research linking human health effects to the use of plastics in food contact applications. Despite this, USA Weekend's recent article -- "Are Common Chemicals Scrambling Your Hormones?" -- alarmingly suggests that health risks exist from such applications. Plastic food and beverage containers meet or exceed all requirements of the Food and Drug Administration, which regulates food packaging to assure its safety. In fact, plastics have made a major contribution to public health by greatly improving food protection, safety and hygiene.

The theory that small amounts of chemicals in the environment may be interfering with the endocrine system in a way that affects human health is a scientific hypothesis that remains to be proved or discounted. Indeed, separate reports published within the past year by the Environmental Protection Agency and the European Environment Agency find insufficient evidence to definitively link exposure to environmental chemicals to effects on the human endocrine system.

Decisions related to this important and complex issue should be based on sound science. Industry and government research currently under way is designed to help answer the many questions raised by this theory. We were disappointed that the subject was not treated in a more balanced or factual way by USA Weekend.

A. JOSEPH LaCOVEY

The Society of the Plastics Industry

Washington, D.C.