Chemical in plastic bottles raises health concerns

Washington, Apr 23 (UNI) Bisphenol A (BPA) a chemical used to make plastic products has raised potential health concerns, especially among children, claims researchers.

Experts have expressed ''some concern'' about the potential negative health of BPA on infants and children and calls for more research to determine just what the risks of its exposure might be.

The government of Canada recently said it would begin a 60-day public comment period on whether to ban baby bottles containing bisphenol A, Science Daily reported.

Water bottle manufacturer Nalgene announced April 18 it would phase out use of BPA in its containers in response to public concern about the chemical.

BPA has shown effects on breast and prostate tissue, as well as on how early puberty occurs. These effects could be linked to cancer, the report said, but the authors caution that there is not enough evidence to know whether BPA causes cancer -- in animals or in people.

The health effects of BPA are being studied because so many people are exposed to it on a daily basis. The chemical is widely used in plastic water and baby bottles, food packaging, compact discs, and other consumer products.

Plastics made with BPA usually have the number 7 on the bottom.

One survey conducted by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention detected BPA in the urine of 93% of people age 6 years and older.

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