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States Act On BPA in Baby Bottles

Regulators take harder stance on chemical than Federal counterparts

October 17, 2008

• Study: Pregnant Women 'Contaminated With Chemicals' From Everyday Products • Study Claims Phthalates Exposure In Pregnancy Diminishes Masculinity • Study Finds Sexual Problems in Human Males Exposed to High BPA Levels • Feds Launch New Study of BPA Safety, Industry Critics Blast Consumer Reports Study • Tests Find Wide Range Of BPA In Canned Soups, Juice And More • More Kids' Products Found Containing Unsafe Chemicals • Study: BPA Exposure in Pregnancy May Cause Aggressiveness in Girls • California Senate Votes to Ban BPA In Food Containers • Harvard Study Raises BPA Concerns • Emails Suggest Cozy FDA-BPA Industry Relationship • Chinese Lawsuit Claims Toxins in American Soap, Shampoo • Babies, Bathtime, and Cancer? • Group Raps "Toxic" Bubble Bath • Six Companies Stop Using Bisphenol-A In Bottles • Judge Orders Feds to Stop Sale of Toxin-Laden Toys • Lawsuit Seeks Immediate Ban on Toxic Toys • Advisory Panel Blasts FDA Over Bishphenol-A Stand • Soon-To-Be-Banned Plastic Toys Flooding the Market • States Act On BPA in Baby Bottles • Unstable Furniture Poses Deadly Danger To Children • California Sues Baby Furniture Manufacturers • Study Links BPA with Various Diseases • FDA Again Finds BPA Safe Despite Critics' Concerns • Consumer Advocates Blame Lobbyists for Delays in New Toy Safety Rules • Shower Curtains May Be Hazardous to Your Health • ‘Killer Cribs’ Study Finds Toxins in Common Baby Products • FDA Not Worried About BPA but Critics Demand Moratorium • Wal-Mart Bans BPA, Other Retailers Likely to Follow • War on Plastic Toys Escalates • Plastic War Hits The Toy Industry • Groups Warn Baby Bottles Leach Toxic Substance • Study Warns Chemical In Baby Shampoo May Cause Harm • 'Toxic' Water Bottles Take Top Spot in Dubious Data Awards • Group Hits Apple Over 'Toxic' iPhone • California Bans Plastic-Softening Chemical in Toys • Group Warns of Polluted Air Inside Cars • Watch Out for Hidden Toy Hazards

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.

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