The National Toxicology Program reported yesterday that polycarbonate bottles which are used as shatter-proof water bottles and baby bottles contain bisphenol A, a chemical found to cause precancerous tumors, urinary tract infections, and early puberty in rats. The federal agency pointed out that the possibility of it affecting humans “cannot be dismissed.”

The International Formula Council disputed the report, stating that bisphenol A has “overwhelming scientific evidence [that] supports [its] safety.” Regardless of the International Formula Council’s stance, New Jersey state lawmakers have banned the sale of all products containing bisphenol A.

A federal lawmaker from New Jersey has also accused the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of allowing “far too many unregulated contaminants in our water.” Senator Frank Lautenburg (D-NJ) has demanded that the EPA begin regulating pharmaceuticals in drinking water. Sen. Lautenberg went on to say that “beyond drugs, there are 140 chemicals in the water the EPA doesn’t regulate,” even though the EPA admits some of the chemicals can cause cancer.

Instead of regulating the chemicals, Benjamin Grumbles of the EPA suggested that people just not use their toilets as a trash can. While people should heed Mr. Grumbles advice about throwing trash and medication in the toilet, I wonder where he suggests people put their urine and fecal matter, which contain those drugs.

Maybe people should just follow the same advice given to those who are traveling to Mexico — “don’t drink the water.”