In the 1940s, plastics manufacturers started using a new, untested chemical. Known as Bisphenol-A (BPA), the chemical quickly became a popular choice for the production of hard polycarbonate plastic and epoxy liners in metal food containers. BPA is still used for the same thing today, and is found in reusable water bottles, baby bottles, CDs, DVDs, electrical equipment, sports equipment, automobiles and more. BPA is still used in the epoxy liners for metal food cans.

In the 1940s we had no proof of its safety. Today, we know BPA is toxic. The chemical has been linked to cancer, heart disease, obesity and reproductive failures. BPA may also be related to our rising rates of ADHD-the chemical is known to cause hyperactivity in lab animals. The list of additional health concerns runs long: impaired learning and brain development, decreased testosterone and sperm count, miscarriage and Down's syndrome.

Today, more than 93 percent of Americans have BPA in their bodies, according to a recent study by the Center for Disease Control. In fact, scientists find BPA almost everywhere they look-breast milk, urine, amniotic fluid and saliva, as well as rivers, estuaries, soil, ordinary household dust, and drinking water. The chemical leaches from countless everyday objects, including canned food, soft drinks, plastic baby bottles and more. Although BPA is found most everywhere, exposure to the toxin isn't spread evenly across the population-our youngest children seem to have the highest levels of BPA in their bodies, showing significantly higher concentrations than found in adolescents or adults.

Because it leaches readily from plastic products and metal can liners, we can't possibly identify and eliminate every source of BPA in our daily lives. This doesn't, however, mean we shouldn't try. BPA already has a lengthy potential side-effect list-obesity, diabetes, breast cancer, prostrate cancer, development disorders, low sperm count, ADHD-and the list could grow as scientists learn more about the omnipresent chemical. Any act that will reduce our exposure to BPA is an act worth taking.

The first law to regulate industrial chemicals was established in 1976, and did not cover approximately 62,000 chemicals-including BPA-that were already in use. These chemicals were grandfathered in, their safety assumed without any proof. In the decades since, study after study has linked BPA with a range of health and behavioral issues.

Despite the risks, there are no federal regulations concerning BPA. Eager for reform, Clean Water Action and Clean Water Fund are working with organizations in states across the country, including Minnesota and Connecticut, to develop state-level regulations. Many other states are developing similar legislation.

But, the federal government continues to stall. This shouldn't be allowed. We need to change the way we handle all chemicals-not just BPA-in this country. Innocent until proven guilty works for our courts, but it is an irresponsible approach to chemical regulations. Manufacturers and chemical producers should be required to prove their safety before the chemicals are used in consumer products. Our children deserve it.