Heart Disease, Diabetes Linked to Everyday BPA

Chemical common in plastic containers used by US adults, children
By Ambreen Ali,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 16, 2008 12:52 PM CDT
Heart Disease, Diabetes Linked to Everyday BPA
Canadian Environment Minister John Baird, left, and Health Minister Tony Clement hand out baby bottles that are free of the chemical BPA in Ottawa.   (AP Photo)

A chemical found in many containers commonly used by Americans is linked to heart disease and diabetes in a new study, the Chicago Tribune reports. The first large-scale human study of Bisphenol A follows a government advisory on using the chemical near food, and a report connecting it to ill effects on fetal brain and prostate-gland development.

The findings come as “absolutely no surprise” to doctors, since a “large literature” of animal studies links BPA to disease. But an industry rep says the study didn't track long-term levels of BPA in people, which he says are “far below scientific-based safety standards.” Still, Wal-Mart is phasing out BPA-laced baby bottles, and Nalgene is removing the chemical from water bottles.
(More BPA stories.)

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