The chemical Bisphenol A (BPA), widely used to make plastic packaging products, has just been declared toxic enough to be linked to a host of severe developmental and reproductive disorders common all across the United States.  Breast and prostate cancers and premature puberty are some of the disorders associated with exposure to BPA.

On April 15, the National Toxicology Program (NTP) reversed the opinion reached by an earlier panel that declared BPA a safe element for plastic packaging, even when it’s used in packaging foods and beverages.  At the time of that ruling, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and other like-minded organizations charged deliberate misrepresentation by industry contractors trying to hijack BPA’s evaluation process.

A second inquiry, coming from the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, was instrumental in getting the reevaluation NTP announced today.  The government committee inquiry led to the firing of the industry contractor, Sciences International, that conducted the first evaluation, which was overturned today.

Several months ago, members of EWG contacted officials at every major infant formula manufacturing company and learned that all of them use BPA as a lining for the metal parts of all containers that package liquid and powdered infant formulas.

The EWG research revealed the likelihood that 1 of every 16 infants is fed enough liquid formula to expose the baby to toxic levels of BPA, levels that exceed those found to be toxic using the most precise laboratory standards.  The most vulnerable babies, the smallest and the hungriest, risk exposure to BPA at levels that are likely to harm the child.

Dr. Anila Jacob, senior scientist for EWG, says today’s decision by NTP corrects the scientific record as reflected in a significant body of evidence pointing to the association between exposure to BPA in doses akin to everyday human exposure and serious medical conditions such as early puberty, prostate cancer, and breast cancer.

EWG, headquartered in Washington, DC, is a nonprofit research organization devoted to protecting the environment and human health by using the power of information.