Toxic Worries spur glass baby bottles' comeback

Glass baby bottles, replaced decades ago by unbreakable plastic, are making such a comeback that parets can't get their hands on them.

Online and traditional retailers report a run on glass baby bottles in recent weeks that they say was spurred by report that the most common type of plastic in baby bottles may leach a toxic chemical.

San Francisco's Sean Mullins said he decided to switch his 6-Month-old sons, Mickey, from plastic to glass bottles last month despite manufacturers' insistence that plastic bottles are safe,

" You want to avoid anything that could be a health risk to a baby," Mullins said. "You try to give them the best start." But after searching stores, checking Web sites and being outbid on eBay, "We could not fine them anywhere."

A freind finally found some glass bottles after searching online for more than two hours, but they were back-ordered and arent expected to be shipped until late this week.

Independent tests done for the San Fransisco Chronicle and reported in November found Bisphenol A, a chemical that mimics estrogen, in a baby bottle and several toys.

Bisphenol A is also found in the lining of food cans, some anti-cavity sealants for teeth and electronics.

Then, in late February, Enviroment California, an advocacy group, released a report titled "Toxic Baby Bottles" that drew intense national media coverage.,

When heated, five of the most popular brands of polycarbonate-- the clear, shatterproof plastic used in baby bottles-- leached bisphenol A at levels that have been found to cause harm in laboratory animals, Enviroment California found.

Even at low levels, bisphenol A has been linked to abnormalities in the mammary and porstate glands and the eggs of laboratory animals, scientists says. Animal tests also show that bisphenol A can spped up puberty and add to weight gain, and may cause changes that can lead to breast and prostate cancer. 

"Parents are so concered," said Dan Jacobson, Enviroment California's legislative director.

Baby Bottle list

Avent

Dr. Browns

Evenflo

Gerber

Playtex

Recomendations for Parents

Parents have a right to know about chemicals in the products they purchase for their children. In the absence of good government regulations, but armed with the knowledge that some chemicals are a cause for concern, parents can take a few simple actions to limit their child's exposure to these and other toxic chemicals.

At the store, parents should select baby bottles that are made from glass or a safer non-polycarbonate plastic. At. home, parents should avoid washing plastic dishware with harsh dishwashing soap and hot water, which may allow chemicals to leach out of the Plastic.