Leading Baby Bottle Companies Discontinuing Use of BPA

In 2006, the City of San Francisco passed an ordinance banning products intended for use by children under age 3 that contained bisphenol A (BPA). Bisphenol A is an industrial chemical that is used to make polycarbonate plastic, a clear, lightweight, heat resistant and shatter-proof material used in various products, including CDs and DVDs, toys, protective safety equipment, eyeglass lenses and food storage containers. For nearly 50 years, researchers have been conducting studies and tests to evaluate the safety of BPA. Most uses of BPA pose no risk to consumers, however, when lab animals were exposed to BPA, researchers found that even minimal amounts of the chemical could cause damage to the brain, reproductive system, mammary glands and prostate, in addition to heart disease, diabetes and obesity. However, the Food and Drug Administration has not yet banned the use of BPA based on findings that it is safe and poses no known risk to human health. Still, other studies have found that even at low levels of exposure, BPA may cause developmental problems in babies in young children when the chemical leaches into their foods and drinks.

Products such as food storage containers and baby bottles that are made of polycarbonate plastic may allow these chemicals to leach into the foods or liquids, exposing children and adults to this potentially dangerous toxin on a daily basis. Babies and young children are at the highest risk of health problems as a result of BPA exposure because their bodies are still developing and they are more sensitive to such toxins. For this reason, consumer rights groups have urged manufacturers of baby bottles that use BPA to discontinue production of these products so that infants and young children can avoid exposure. Playtex Product Inc., Evenflo Co., Gerber, Dr. Brown and Disney First Years are some of the leading manufacturers of baby bottles and have all chosen to stop production of bottles and other baby products made of polycarbonate plastic in the U.S. However, most of these companies will continue to export products containing BPA to other countries that do not have restrictions on products made of polycarbonate plastic. Many baby bottle manufacturers are now switching back to older alternatives, which include glass bottles, and have been working to produce BPA-free plastic bottles. Potentially toxic products are especially dangerous to babies and young children because they are still growing and are more susceptible to injury from exposure to chemicals. If your child has been seriously injured as a result of exposure to toxic materials, including lead paint, contact the experienced attorneys at Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C. to see if you have a case. We offer free evaluations to clients with premises and product liability cases in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester and Staten Island.

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