While federal regulators have taken the position that the chemical bisphenol A (BPA) in consumer products like baby bottles poses no risk, three states are taking a harder line.
Officials in Connecticut, New Jersey and Deleware have sent letters to 11 manufacturers, asking them to stop using BPA in baby bottles and baby formula containers in light of recent studies clearly linking the chemical to potential health problems.
The states contend that growing scientific evidence shows that even small amounts of BPA damages infant reproductive, neurological and immune systems.
"Exposure to this dangerous chemical has been linked to a range of illnesses, including cancer and diabetes. For the sake of consumers' safety, and especially the health and safety of our children, we are calling on manufacturers to immediately remove this chemical from the products they produce," said Delaware State Solicitor Lawrence Lewis.
BPA is used in a wide variety of plastics, including reusable water bottles and sunglasses.
Baby bottle and formula containers are not required to say whether they contain BPA. Some manufacturers, however, have stopped using the chemical and say so on their packaging.
A recent study released by Yale School of Medicine clearly links low levels of BPA exposure to brain fluctuations and mood disorders in monkeys. Another recent study by federal health agencies confirmed that BPA may affect human development. Just last month, researchers writing in JAMA linked BPA with cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and liver-enzyme abnormalities.
In April, Wal-Mart announced it would not sell infant formula bottles containing the chemical.
The letters, written jointly by the attorneys general from the three states, were sent to baby bottle manufacturers Avent, Disney First Years, Gerber, Dr. Brown, Playtex and Evenflo; and formula makers Abbott, Mead Johnson, PBM Products, Nature's One and Wyeth. BPA, which hardens plastic, is used in the lining of baby formula containers.
