Maine Gov on BPA: 'Worst Case Is Some Women May Have Little Beards'

"AUGUSTA, Maine — The political debate over bisphenol A is heating up in Maine after Gov. Paul LePage’s recent comments questioning whether the controversial chemical is as dangerous as many scientists claim.

And LePage’s unusual quip about some women growing 'little beards' from exposure to BPA likely will add another wrinkle to an issue on track to be one of the most contentious of the legislative session.

In his comments last week, LePage said he has yet to see enough science to support a ban on BPA, a common additive to plastics that some research suggests may interfere with hormone levels and could cause long-term problems. LePage said until scientists can prove BPA is harmful, the state should not rush to restrict its use.

'Quite frankly, the science that I’m looking at says there is no [problem],' LePage said. 'There hasn’t been any science that identifies that there is a problem.'

LePage then added: 'The only thing that I’ve heard is if you take a plastic bottle and put it in the microwave and you heat it up, it gives off a chemical similar to estrogen. So the worst case is some women may have little beards.'  "

Kevin Miller reports for the Bangor Daily News February 22, 2011.

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"Maine Gov: 'Worst Case Is Some Women May Have Little Beards'" (Mother Jones)