Federal lawmakers say they are going to introduce bills in the House and Senate to ban bisphenyl A (BPA) in all food and beverage containers. Observers also expect the lawmakers to make changes at the FDA, which has been allowing use of the chemical.

Rep. Edward Markey (D-Mass.) and Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) say they plan to introduce the bills, according to Meg Kissinger of the Milwaukee Sentinel Journal, March 12, 2009.

Manufacturers say they are moving to take BPA out of baby bottles. But the rest of us are at risk as well.  The product not only leaches from soda and water bottles, but it lines metal cans and “microwaveable” packaging.  BPA was originally developed as an estrogen replacement, according to Kissinger’s article, and is now found in the tissues of nearly every American tested.

Studies have shown BPA increases risk of breast and prostate cancer, diabetes, heart disease and hyperactivity.  It is also contributing to delayed puberty in boys, according to Leonard Sax, MD, author of Boys Adrift.

To reduce your risk from BPA, get rid of your bottled water. Instead, get a home water filter and use stainless-steel bottles to carry your purified water.