A potentially harmful chemical commonly found in plastic baby bottles is to be banned from their manufacture from next year.
Tests show that Bisphenol A (BPA) can leach from the bottle into any liquid it contains, with potentially damaging results. The organic compound is believed to affect development in young children.
The European Union yesterday approved the ban, which will come into effect in Europe next year.
The chemical is widely used in making hard, clear plastic and is commonly found in food and drink containers. But last month Canada officially classed Bisphonel A as toxic because of its 'biological diversity' and several U.S. manufacturers have voluntarily withdrawn the compound.
EU commissioner John Dalli said: 'There were areas of uncertainty, deriving from new studies, which showed that BPA might have an effect on development, immune response and tumour promotion.
'The decision ... is good news for European parents who can be sure that as of mid-2011 plastic infant feeding bottles will not include BPA.'
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