The Environment: Bisphenol A

On April 16, 2008, the National Toxicology Program (NTP) raised concerns that exposure to BPA during pregnancy and childhood could impact the developing breast and prostate, hasten puberty, and affect behavior in American children. Days later the Canadian government decided to label BPA as "toxic." These actions are a historic shift from previous regulatory decisions on BPA's safety, both in the U.S. and abroad. In particular, the decision reversed the findings of a previous NTP advisory panel, whose review process was driven by a private contractor with links to BPA producers.

EWG GUIDES

• Guide to Baby-Safe Bottles & Formula
• Tips to Avoid BPA Exposures

EWG has forcefully advocated for health protective safety standards to limit BPA exposures for infants and children. Our analysis of the risks posed by BPA contamination of canned food and infant formula and documentation of BPA use by every major formula producer led to a congressional Inquiry into the use of BPA in formula packaging and the adequacy of FDA's safety assessment. The Canadian action will ban BPA in baby bottles, and the government is pushing infant formula companies to replace BPA in their packaging. Meanwhile, manufacturers like Nalgene and Playtex have announced a phaseout of BPA plastics, and retail giants like Wal-Mart and Toys"R"Us will discontinue sales of these products.

Despite recent progress, BPA is a signature compound in the fight for reform of the nation's toxic chemicals laws. Studies indicate that nearly every American is exposed to the chemical, and that infants and children are at the highest risk for BPA toxicity. Despite the urgency of the issue, the federal government has only the most clumsy and convoluted authority to control BPA use and reduce exposure to populations at risk.

EWG continues to call for federal agencies to fully assess the safety of children's BPA exposures from formula, baby bottles and other sources.