Friday, September 5, 2008

Bisphenol-A: Maybe not-so-safe after all

Two weeks ago, the FDA declared bisphenol-A, a plasticizer used in some hard plastic food containers, including some baby bottles, safe, at least in the small amounts that leak out during use.

However, the National Toxicology Program (NTP) begs to differ. The National Toxicology Program is a division of the National Institutes of Health. The National Toxicology Program has rated the chemical as a "three" or of "some concern" on a five-point scale, with five representing "very concerned."

The NTP panel looked at the chemical's effects on reproduction and development, including looking at lab animal studies. While the FDA is the regulator of chemicals in food, it says it will take the NTP findings into account when it meets again this month to discuss bisphenol-A.

What to do? Again, it's up to you. While bisphenol-A is found in many places, baby bottles might be the most disturbing. If you do need to use a baby bottle, there are plenty of bisphenol-A- free options out there. The choice is yours, for now.

[Via Daily Green]

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