BPA declared toxic in Canada, could propel change in U.S.

Bisphenol A

, a harmful chemical commonly found in canned foods and cash register receipts, has been officially declared a toxic substance in Canada.

The designation, ending years of opposition by the chemical industry, was hailed as a victory by environmental groups in the country, and could set the stage for banning BPA in consumer products. The compound is widely found in plastic containers, reusable water bottles, the resin lining of soda, beer, fruit and vegetable cans, and in the lining of baby formula cans, from which it can enter food.

BPA is also used in toys and in the thermal paper stores use to print receipts, and is likely to stick to skin.

In the United States, BPA is a matter of growing concern because of its potential risk for causing cancer. The chemical is a suspected endocrine disruptor, an estrogen-like substance that affects the body's hormone balance. BPA has also been linked to developmental disorders in children, and to infertility, diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. More than 90% of Americans carry traces in their bodies, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.