The impact of bisphenol-A, or BPA, a chemical used to make plastics clear and shatter-resistant, will be scrutinized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The agency plans to work with BPA manufacturers to gather data on how their products affect wildlife water supply and other areas of the environment.
In recent years the chemical has come under fire as multiple reports and studies have shown it can cause developmental problems in animals and potentially humans.
In January the Food and Drug Administration changed its position on the chemical’s safety, voicing "some concern" about its effects on children and infants. The agency has set aside $30 million to study BPA’s safety over the next 18 to 24 months.
While the FDA conducts more research, consumer safety advocates urge the EPA to push ahead with tighter regulation of the chemical.
BPA is used in everyday products from plastics baby bottles to the lining of food-containing cans, to infant formulas, microwavable plastic dishes, dental sealants and composites, PVC pipe, and carbonless paper.
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