Canada will soon become the first region to delcare bisphenol A (BPA) a toxic and hazardous susbstance.  BPA causes breast and prostate cancer, has been widely used for 50 years, and is in almost everything in our homes.  Water bottles, children's toys and even the lining of tin cans contain the stuff.

Health Canada is expected to classify bisphenol A as a dangerous substance as early as Wednesday, which could lead to regulations on the increasingly controversial chemical.

The move would make the department the first regulatory body anywhere in the world to rule that bisphenol A (BPA) endangers people and the environment, according to a report in the Globe and Mail.

BPA, which is used to make many hard plastic toys, bottles and food containers, is thought to mimic the hormone estrogen. Recent independent studies link the chemical to breast cancer, obesity, infertility and insulin-resistance in rodents.

Conversely, the plastics industry vigorously defends the chemical, noting it has been used widely for 50 years.

The Health Canada evaluation of bisphenol A was launched last year as part of a study about 200 chemicals the federal government has designated for more careful research.

Scary stuff.  What gets me about this is that for the last 50 years this stuff was considered safe and it's now proven to be a horrible carcinogen and should be banned.  Who's ultimately responsible here?  I think that for now, we are.  Health Canada is taking a bold step for the public good.  Until rules and regulations are in place, we all have to be diligent and ensuring BPA doesn't have a place in our households.

» CBC News (Canada)