Sources

• Charles Gelman, SourceWatch
• Background on bisphenol A and Dr. Philbert's work with the FDA, University of Michigan

While Dr. Phibert was leading the FDA Science Board Subcommittee on BPA in 2008, questions were raised about a possible conflict of interest between his FDA service and his role as interim director of the Risk Science Center after the center received a $5 million gift from U-M alumni Charles and Rita Gelman. Charles Gelman formerly owned the Ann Arbor-based Gelman Sciences and has publicly disputed the risks of BPA.

In the news

• Chemical Reaction: As it decides the fate of a widely used compound, the FDA has to be mindful of a potential conflict., Washington Post, October 2008
• Gift to Center Headed by FDA Panel Chairman Raises Questions, Milwaukee Journal Sentinal (via Washington Post), October 2008