The National Resources Defense Council filed a suit last week against the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for failing to regulate Bisphenol A, more commonly known as BPA.
Developed in the 1930's as a synthetic form of estrogen, it was later transformed into a plastic used in food containers, such as baby bottles, sippy cups and reusable water bottles. BPA also exits in the resin lining of canned food and beverages such as beer and soda.
After maintaining for decades that BPA was safe, the FDA reversed position in January, acknowledging that exposure to the chemical was of "some concern" for infants and children. Several animal studies have linked the chemical to breast cancer, liver damage, obesity, diabetes and fertility problems. California, Denmark and Canada have already banned BPA.
A report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that over 90 percent of Americans tested had BPA residue in their blood, while another demonstrated that babies are being born with BPA already present in their blood, an indication that they are being exposed through their mothers before birth.
"The FDA has failed to safeguard the food supply and protect the public from harm," NRDC attorney Aaron Colangelo said in a statement on the filing.
Read more about the lawsuit here.
