NY Times — The government of Canada formally declared bisphenol A, a chemical widely used to create clear, hard plastics, as well as food can liners, to be a toxic substance on Wednesday.
The compound, commonly known as BPA, has been shown to disrupt the hormone systems of animals and is under review in the United States and Europe.
Canada's move, which was strenuously fought by the chemical industry, followed an announcement by the government two years ago that it would eliminate the compound's use in polycarbonate bottles used by infants and children.
The compound was formally listed as being toxic to both the environment and human health in an official notice published online by the government without fanfare, a noticeable contrast to the earlier baby bottle announcement, which was made by two cabinet ministers.
"Environment Canada's announcement is contrary to the weight of worldwide scientific evidence, unwarranted and will unnecessarily confuse and alarm the public," Steven G. Hentges, who leads the polycarbonate and BPA group at the council, said in a statement.
Rick Smith, the executive director of Environmental Defence, a group that lobbied for the designation, said he hoped that the government would ban BPA from infant formula can linings.
"This toxic designation is a very strong regulatory power that gives them firm legal footing on any number of things," Dr. Smith said.
Read more at NY Times & Qfficial notice at Gazette
Haase - Didn't I report this back in 2006?
