An expert panel asked by the Food and Drug Administration to review its way of handling of the controversial bisphenol-A accused the agency of ignoring evidence when concluding the chemical in plastic baby bottles is safe. The panel included environmental health, toxicology and statistics experts from three major universities, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The report clearly states that the FDA overlooked studies saying that bisphenol-A or BPA could pose harm to children at levels at least 10 times lower than the amount the agency says is safe. Moreover, the agency’s evaluation of BPA “creates a false sense of security,” the report said. The conclusion of the report seriously questions the way the FDA is protecting the American public saying “the margins of safety defined by FDA as ‘adequate’ are, in fact, inadequate.”

Bisphenol-A is an organic compound used in many food and drink packaging applications, making plastic hard. In April, when the National Toxicology Program released a draft report voicing concern about the chemical, a debate was started. Beginning that month, several important corporations, such as Wal-Mart and Babies “R” Us, stopped manufacturing products containing the controversial chemical.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 93 percent of Americans have traces of bisphenol-A in their urine, but the quantity is not harmful.

There are many environmental groups saying the chemical can hurt children and animals. Consumer safety groups say the bisphenol-A, which is a synthetic hormone similar to estrogen, can interfere with how the body absorbs the natural hormone estrogen, which is needed in the development of young bodies. The chemical appears to accelerate puberty and pose a cancer risk. Some other reports, focusing on bisphenol-A’s repercussions on adults suggest that it may interfere with chemotherapy. Also, the chemical has been tied to higher risk for heart disease and diabetes.

Earlier this month, Canada put Bispheno-A on its list of toxic substances, a move likely to lead to a ban on the sale of baby bottles containing bisphenol-A.

However, the FDA continues to maintain its opinion on the chemical. In a statement released after the report was made public, the FDA said “consumers should know that, based on all available evidence, the present consensus among regulatory agencies in the United States, Canada, Europe and Japan is that current levels of exposure to BPA through food packaging do not pose an immediate health risk to the general population, including infants and babies.”

Moreover, a meeting of the Science Board, an advisory committee to the FDA, is scheduled on Friday, to consider what to do next. However, many consider that the FDA should take measure starting right now, as there is already ample evidence to label bisphenol-A dangerous. Sonya Lunder, senior analyst for Environmental Working Group, a health advocacy group that has lobbied for the chemical to be removed from baby bottles and infant formula, said “there is no justification for waiting” for the FDA’s ban as “safer products are available now. It’s indefensible.”

Until any decision on bisphenol-A is made people should limit their exposure to polycarbonate plastic containers, polycarbonate plastic baby bottles and canned foods.