A 10th State Poised to Ban BPA in Baby and Toddler Products

Delaware is poised to become the 10th state banning the chemical Bisphenol A in sippy cups, baby bottles and other products designed for use by babies and toddlers. Both houses of the state's legislature unanimously approved the bill, and now it's awaiting the governor's signature.

Other states with similar bans include Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin. Bills in California and Oregon also have a chance of passing this year, and two federal bills have also been introduced.

Bisphenol A, or BPA, is a chemical used to make hard plastics, the lining of cans, the coating on sales receipts and many other products; studies show it can leach into food, and that most Americans are exposed routinely to it. A synthetic estrogen-like chemical, BPA mimics human hormones, and many independent scientists and watchdog groups have raised concerns about its potential health effects even at very low levels. While even some federal science agencies have echoed certain of those concerns, the Food and Drug Administration has publicized tips for reducing exposure while standing by its safety, and the chemical and food industries have vigorously defended its use in a wide variety of products. Major retailers, however, and many manufacturers that had previously used the chemical, have moved to remove it from the products they sell, particularly when those products are intended for use by babies, children and pregnant women.

A recent study, while small, suggested that switching to fresh foods and eating less canned, packaged, processed and takeout or restaurant foods, dramatically reduced a family's exposure to both Bisphenol A and another set of chemicals that could mimic human hormones, phthalates.

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