Safety of Chemicals in Baby Products in Question

Bisphenol A, one of the chemicals we talk about in today’s story on the EPA and children’s health, has been in the news this week for its potential harm to children. The chemical — used in the manufacturing of plastic baby bottles and baby formula cans — can harm the development of a child’s brain and reproductive organs, a federal health agency said in a report released this week.

The National Toxicology Program, of the National Institutes of Health, released its draft report after 18 months of reviewing BPA, a chemical that’s been under investigation by the House Energy and Commerce Committee. There is “some concern” that even low levels of BPA can harm fetuses, babies and children, the NTP said. In light of these findings, Rep. John D. Dingell, chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, called on the Food and Drug Administration to reconsider its conclusion that BPA is safe.

Canada is expected to make a similar announcement soon. Health Canada, the country’s federal health agency, has been reviewing concerns surrounding BPA for some time.