JANUARY 21, 2008—Bisphenol A, a chemical found in many children’s and infant products, is the subject of a congressional investigation.

Recently, a study found baby formula companies used cans lined with a resin containing bisphenol A, a chemical linked to hyperactivity, reproductive abnormalities and pediatric brain cancer in lab animals as well as suspected of causing breast and testicular cancer.

“There is concern in the scientific community that this chemical, bisphenol A, may be harmful both to adults and children,” Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., said in a statement. “It would seem obvious that we would try to protect babies and infants from chemicals that may be considered dangerous to adults.”

In November, the FDA said that bisphenol A is safe for infants and adults.

The International Formula Council, a trade group that represents the nation’s large formula makers, said the formula is safe.

“Parents using infant formula should not be alarmed,” Marisa Salcines, the trade group’s spokeswoman, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “No changes in infant feeding practices are recommended.”

Developed as synthetic estrogen, bisphenol A came into commercial use as an ingredient in polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resin to line food and beverage cans. Annually, more than 6 billion pounds is produced to line baby bottles, dental sealants and a wide array of other products.

“There appears to be at least circumstantial evidence suggesting that BPA can be harmful to adults,” said Rep. Al Wynn, D-Md., the chairman of the subcommittee on environment and hazardous materials, in a statement about the investigation. “On its face, it seems unwise to expose infants to such a potentially dangerous substance.”