Heart Disease, Diabetes Linked to Everyday BPA

A chemical found in many containers commonly used by Americans is linked to heart disease and diabetes in a new study, the Chicago Tribune reports. The first large-scale human study of Bisphenol A follows a government advisory on using the chemical near food, and a report connecting it to ill effects on fetal brain and prostate-gland development.

The findings come as “absolutely no surprise” to doctors, since a “large literature” of animal studies links BPA to disease. But an industry rep says the study didn't track long-term levels of BPA in people, which he says are “far below scientific-based safety standards.” Still, Wal-Mart is phasing out BPA-laced baby bottles, and Nalgene is removing the chemical from water bottles.
(More BPA stories.)