"AUGUSTA - The Maine House of Representatives on Thursday overwhelmingly endorsed banning the chemical bisphenol-A from children's products such as sippy cups and baby bottles.

The ban on BPA, which many studies have shown poses cancer risks to children and pregnant women, was the first proposal to work its way through the chemical regulation process created by Maine's Kid Safe Products Act of 2008.

The Republican-controlled House voted 145-3 to approve the ban. ...

Gov. Paul LePage opposes the ban, saying he's not convinced that BPA is dangerous.

He raised the profile of the issue and drew national attention when he joked that the worst-case side effect of BPA would be women growing 'little beards.'"

Rebekah Metzler reports for the Portland Press Herald April 8, 2011. [2]