Government group agrees that BPA is bad news

Environmental groups have been warning us about the risks of BPA -- a compound commonly found in plastic goods -- for years. The FDA says it has found no reason to ban or restrict its use so far, but a government research study done by the National Toxicology Program agreed with previous studies -- in lab animals, small doses of BPA does lead to precancerous prostrate tumors. Not only that, the chemical also causes urinary problems and early puberty in the animals.

Perhaps most alarming, BPA is found in popular brand name baby bottles, as well as the lining of cans and bottles of formula. It's also used in food containers, plastic water bottles, and dental sealants.

Sandy over at our sister site Parent Dish recently wrote a post about how to tell if your plastic is a safe one. If your product is hard and clear, chances are it contains BPA. You can also flip it over and look at the bottom. If its stamped with a 3,6, or 7, it's not safe for use. The numbers 1 and 5, however, are concerned safe for single use.

The topic is controversial, because some groups claim that the low level of BPA we're exposed to doesn't put us at risk. I'm not waiting around for the definitive report, however. Plastic bottles and sippy cups at our house have long been exchanged for stainless steel versions.