BPA, or Bisphenol A, is a primary ingredient in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastics. These same plastics, which are used in the manufacture of baby bottles, toddler cups and food containers, have been linked to diabetes, brain damage, developmental abnormalities, and pre-cancerous changes in the prostate and breast, amongst a host of other terrifying ailments.

Last year, researchers in England reported an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, liver problems and diabetes among people with the highest concentrations of BPA in their urine.

Chemical industries have lobbies their hearts out against these bans, citing several studies funded by the chemical industry that showed no adverse effects in animal tests. Even the FDA has deemed BPA safe.

With the California Senate now taking the matter into it’s own hands, it joins several others – last month, Chicago became the first city to ban BPA and Minnesota did the same a week earlier. Last year Canada became the first country to ban BPA in baby bottles. Some parenting sites are publishing lists of baby bottles that are BPA-free.