Comment submitted by R. Holt

As a concerned private citizen, I commend and strongly support the EPA in undertaking this rule to investigate and control the dangers of Bisphenol A. Both sections of the rule are excellent and much needed: first, increased research on the dangers to human physiology and health from exposure to this chemical; and second, assessment of its presence in the general environment. There is already strong evidence from animal studies that B.A has deleterious effects, which needs to be followed by research on its effects of human beings of all ages. In my view, the rule would not have been necessary if a more fundamental reform were in place here, as it is in some parts of Europe: corporations should not be allowed commercial use and dissemination of a newly developed chemical compound before it has been adequately tested by an independent source (but at the industry's expense) for toxicity, mutagenicity, and other harmful effects on persons and other organisms in the natural environment. Until such a reform is in place, EPA should be given every encouragement and support in its efforts to do the necessary testing and control of untested commercially used chemical compounds.