Video: Chemical in plastics might be toxic to children

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The FDA says it's safe, but experts aren't so sure about a chemical used in plastics. It's called Bisphenol A, and a new report by the National Institutes of Health finds it might be toxic to children. Now the federal government is examining the safety issue again.

Federal health experts report they can't totally rule out the dangers of Bisphenol A. It's a chemical used in baby bottles, water bottles, CDs, some food containers, dental sealants and other hard plastics.

In its final report, the National Toxicology Program concluded that based on insufficient or limited evidence, there is some concern about Bisphenol A's effects on the brain, behavior and prostate gland in children. But the report cites minimal concern that Bisphenol A harms reproductive organs in girls or people who work with the chemical.

It's a far cry from calling Bisphenol A dangerous, but environmentalists say any level of concern is too much.

"I think that when it comes to our children, even some level of concern is too high, and we should try to minimize exposures among our vulnerable populations," said Dr. Anila Jacobs, Environmental Working Group.

There's widespread exposure to Bisphenol A. The CDC has detected low levels in 93 percent of Americans. Most of what we know about it comes from hundreds of conflicting animal studies.

NIH experts say there's no way to know if what happened in lab rats could also happen in people.

This latest report is neither an indictment nor a free pass on Bisphenol A, but the plastics industry says consumers should be reassured.

"When that information from NTP is considered by FDA - along with additional information, for example, on human exposure - FDA reaffirms that products containing Bisphenol A, products such as baby bottles and so on, are safe for use," said Stephen Hentges, American Chemistry Council spokesman.

The National Institutes of Health is calling for more research. The FDA is asking for public comment later this month. In the meantime, some large stores, like Wal-Mart, have said they'll stop selling baby bottles made with BPA.