A new study published in Wednesday's Journal of the American Medical Association showed that the hormone-like chemical bisphenol A, or BPA, used in food containers and other household products may cause heart disease and diabetes at real-life levels.

The study found people with the highest level of the chemical ran nearly three times higher risk of cardiovascular disease than people with the lowest concentration. Their risk of Type 2 diabetes -- the most common type -- was 2.4 times as great.

"We were very surprised at all the results in the sense that this is the first big study in a human population," lead study author Dr. David Melzer, of Peninsula Medical School in Exeter, England, said.

"There's now a scientific question mark over the safety of bisphenol A in humans, especially in human adults, that needs to be followed up," Melzer added.

The scientists analyzed urinary BPA concentrations from 1,455 U.S. adults aged 18 to 74 who participated in the British National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2003-2004.

BPA is a chemical used in the manufacture of a wide range of plastic consumer products, from beverage containers to dental sealants to car interiors. But scientists cannot yet agree on how much BPA exposure is safe for humans. The scientists noted that BPA is so prevalent that it is detectable in more than 90 percent of the U.S. population.

Ana Soto of Tufts University said the study raises enough concerns to warrant government action to limit BPA exposure.

"We shouldn't wait until further studies are done in order to act in protecting humans," said Soto, who had called for more restrictions in the past.

However, an industry association, North American Metal Packaging Alliance, said it's "an unsubstantiated scientific leap" to link BPA in urine with disease.

"BPA is quickly and efficiently eliminated from the body through urine," it added.

The products which might contain bisphenol A include hard clear plastic and some tinted water bottles; hard clear plastic baby feeding bottles; hard plastic baby toys; food storage containers, plastic bowls and tableware; cans of baked beans, soup, vegetables, fizzy drinks; dental sealant to prevent cavities; electronic equipment and CDs; Spray-on flame retardants.

(Xinhua News Agency September 18, 2008)