It's in baby bottles, water bottles and more. And it's such a concern several major chains like Mountain Equipment Co-op and Lulu Lemon have already banned it.

And now Canada is jumping on the bandwagon, becoming the first country in the world to officially limit the use of a chemical known as bisphenol A. Ottawa intends to declare the ingredient a hazard, placing it on the list of toxic substances.

Bisphenol A, or BPA, has been the focus of concern for years among environmental groups, who warn it's in many hard plastic water and baby bottles and could be hazardous to young children. The chemical, which acts like the female hormone estrogen, has been linked to cancer and infertility in animal tests. There are also fears it can leach into food and beverages that are stored in them.

While manufacturers insist it's perfectly safe, many experts feel differently.

"This chemical is everywhere," warns Medical Specialist Dr. Karl Kabasele. "It's in everything from hard plastic bottles to toys to dental fillings. And a study that was done recently in the States found that 93 per cent of Americans were found to have some of this chemical in their blood."

Health Minister Tony Clement confirmed he planned to limit the use of the controversial chemical six months ago, but this is the first indication that Canada intends to go beyond that.

"The reason why Health Canada's taking this action now is that children seem to be the most vulnerable and seem to have higher levels relative to their body size," Kabasele explains. "And they're the ones who probably would be affected most negatively by it."

The move means products that use BPA could soon be completely banned in the Great White North, a move sure to be applauded by those who first raised the alarms.

Environmental Defence Fund Bisphenol A Fact Sheet

Manufacturers' Fact Sheet

Toxic baby bottles report

From the archives:

Are plastic water bottles harmful?

Warning: baby bottle brands may leach chemicals