Mass. Bans BPA In Baby Bottles, Sippy Cups

Massachusetts is banning the use of a potentially dangerous chemical in baby bottles and sippy cups, but activists say the move doesn't go far enough.

The Public Health Council approved the new regulations on Wednesday barring the production or sale of reusable food and beverage containers for toddlers and infants that contain bisphenol A, or BPA.

Studies have warned about the potential health effects of BPA, especially for infants, nursing and formula-fed children and developing fetuses. State health policy adviser Jeff Wilkinson says the ban will go a long way toward protecting children from possible developmental problems.

"Over 80 percent of infant exposure to BPA comes through leeching from polycarbonate bottles," Wilkinson said.

The Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow says the limited ban leaves infants and toddlers vulnerable to exposure to BPA in infant formula and baby food packaging.

"This ban isn't going far enough because it isn't capable of protecting the most vulnerable — and that's the fetus and the neonate," said Dr. Laura Vandenberg, a research fellow at the Tufts University Center for Regenerative and Developmental Biology.

Advocates are pushing the state to ban BPA in all reusable food and beverage containers.

Massachusetts is the eighth state to impose a BPA ban. Gov. Deval Patrick had pushed for the measure.