BPF Hits out at ‘The Times’ Article Condemning Plastics

Following the publication of ‘The Times’ front page article ‘Everyday plastics plunge men into fertility crisis' on 18th June, the British Plastics Federation (BPF) responded to the Editor of the newspaper. The response was published in the ‘Letter to the Editor’ column in today’s ‘The Times’ (19th June). 

The BPF’s response pointed out the misleading nature of the article, as well as its potentially dangerous consequences. Reinforcing the Plastics Industry’s stance on issues of chemical safety, the letter went on to explain how regulations such as REACH ensure the rigorous evaluation and testing of chemical substances.

The BPF takes a firm position on misleading stories about plastics in the media and endeavours to protect the interests of the UK Plastics Industry.

ENDS

For all media enquiries, BPF logos and images please contact Laura Hindley, Communications and Industrial Issues Executive on [email protected] or 0207 457 5043 

Notes for editors
The British Plastics Federation (BPF) is the UK trade association for the Plastics Industry – representing the whole supply chain including polymer producers, distributors, additives suppliers, machinery manufacturers, processors and recyclers.

The letter published in ‘The Times’ reads as below:

Sir,

Today's front page article, 'Everyday plastics plunge men into fertility crisis', is not only misleading but potentially dangerous.

I would urge great caution when assessing the results of this study given Professor Jorgensen's own admission that he has 'limited knowledge' about some of the effects he refers to.

The UK plastics industry considers issues of chemical safety to be of paramount importance. European Chemicals Regulation (REACH) ensures rigorous evaluation and testing of chemical substances and their uses. Phthalates are some of the most widely studied chemicals in the world, and rigorous EU risk assessments and studies by other internationally respected scientific bodies have consistently proved their safety for current uses. 

Yours faithfully,

Philip Law

Director General, British Plastics Federation