Chicago bans baby bottle chemical

CHICAGO, May 14 (UPI) -- Chicago is the first U.S. city to ban bisphenol A in baby bottles and sippy cups amid growing concern over the widely used chemical, officials say.

Action by the City Council Wednesday put Chicago in the forefront of a national campaign against the chemical known as BPA that has been linked to cancer, diabetes and other ailments, The Chicago Tribune said Thursday.

The ordinance, effective Jan. 31, will require retailers to inform consumers that plastics for sale in stores do not contain BPA. Violators will face fines and possible license revocation.

Canada banned bisphenol A in October, many retailers and manufacturers are phasing out BPA, and a number of states are considering a similar move. Minnesota banned BPA last week and lawmakers in Illinois and several other states may follow suit.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says the small amount of BPA used to harden plastics, among other things, is not dangerous but scientists are showing increased concern that constant exposure could be harmful.

Wal-Mart and CVS are among the stores that have stopped selling bottles and containers made with BPA. Some manufacturers are marketing products labeled "BPA-free."