Democrats weigh ban on plastics' chemical in canned food

 Canned Food But the agency has agreed to reevaluate the chemical's safety afteran April report by government toxicology experts concluded there is"some concern" about whether bisphenol can change infant's hormonelevels, brain development and lead to early puberty in girls. In response to the report, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said it planned tostop selling baby bottles containing the chemical by early 2009. Bisphenol leaches out of food containers, and about 93 percent ofAmericans have traces of it in their urine, according to studies bythe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 6 millionpounds of bisphenol are produced in the U.S. each year by DowChemical, Bayer AG and other manufacturers. The American Chemistry Council, a trade group representing chemicalmakers, told lawmakers that bisphenol and phthalates are "among themost well defined chemicals on earth" and do not warrant safetyrestrictions. Lawmakers pointed out, however, that the European Union andCalifornia have restricted six types of phthalates from use intoys, over concerns they can cause reproductive problems inchildren. Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Democratic Rep. Darlene Hooleyare hoping to include similar U.S. restrictions in legislationaimed at tightening oversight of toy safety. Last year millions oftoys, most of them imported from China, were recalled because oflead or other hazards. House and Senate versions of the bill areawaiting a conference meeting to resolve differences. "I hope we're not using this hearing to put something hastily intothat conference report without letting the House do it's duediligence to understand the science," said Republican Rep. MichaelBurgess. A scientist from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, whichoversees the safety of toys, said the agency sees no need for aban. Based on the commission's research, a child would have to chewon a plastic toy for 75 minutes a day to absorb minimally dangerouslevels of phthalates. Government scientists found most childrenonly chew on toys for about one to two minutes each day.