The Rachel Carson Homestead Association today will ask Pittsburgh and Allegheny County leaders to support a ban on the synthetic chemical bisphenol-A found in plastic children's products like baby bottles, sippy cups, canned foods and drinks and some toys.

The ban would apply to all products that contain the endocrine-disrupting chemical commonly known as BPA that contacts the mouths of babies and young children.

Dr. Patricia DeMarco, Rachel Carson Homestead Association executive director, called for the ban and development of a substitute material without BPA's dangerous effects at the third annual Rachel Carson Legacy Conference titled "When Chemicals Disrupt: Managing Our Risk" in the Bidwell Center on the North Side.

"The ban of BPA in children's products presents significant public safety issues which have not been solved in other venues," said Dr. DeMarco. She said her association will convene a committee of business, academic and health professionals in Pittsburgh to provide recommendations for a BPA ban that can be practically and sustainably implemented.

BPA is an organic compound that is a building block of several important plastics including polycarbonates and plastic additives, and a known endocrine disrupter. Chemicals like BPA mimic a natural hormone, fooling the body, and may lead to cancer, obesity and problems with sexuality and fetal and infant brain development.

Kevin Evanto, a spokesman for Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato, confirmed that the county has been contacted by the Homestead Association about the ban and will review the request.

"We'll see if we can endorse it," said Mr. Evanto, who added that Mr. Onorato is focused on the G-20 meeting this week.

About 3 million tons of BPA are produced annually. Concern about the use of BPA in consumer products, which has been suspected of being hazardous to humans since the 1930s, increased last year. Several governments issued reports questioning its safety, and some retailers have removed products made of it from their shelves.

Canada has banned its use and import and 10 states, including California, Maryland and New Jersey, are considering banning its use in children's products and food packaging. U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., introduced legislation that would ban bisphenol-A nationally from products for infants.

The Energy and Commerce Committee in the House of Representatives is investigating the use of BPA in baby products as well as the FDA's approval of the chemical.

For more information on the Rachel Carson Legacy Conference call Fiona Fisher at 724-274-5459.