"The Politics of Plastics: The Scientific, Political and Economic History of Bisphenol A."

Time: 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Place: 6th Floor Conference Room, Chemical Heritage Foundation

In spring 2008 the debate about the safety of bisphenol A became front-page news. A number of researchers and environmental advocates contended that low doses of this chemical, used in plastics production, could alter endocrine function and development and manifest as disease. The industry trade association held steadfast to the position that bisphenol A is safe. Defining the stakes in this political and scientific debate is the central objective of this presentation. This seemingly myopic conflict over bisphenol A, defined by the relationships among environmental health research, chemical regulation, environmental advocacy, and industry trade associations, reveals a broader understanding of the development of the American administrative state since the 1950s.

Sarah Vogel received her Ph.D. from Columbia University’s Department of Sociomedical Sciences. She concentrated in 20th-century American history, environmental history, and the history of public health. She also holds master’s degrees in public health and environmental management from Yale University.