With a unanimous 48-0 vote, the Chicago City Council on Wednesday approved of a ban on the sale of baby bottles and sippy cups containing the apparently disease-linked chemical BPA, or bisphenol A.

The ban, which necessitates the formal approval of the Mayor Richard M. Daley to become effective January 31, 2010 onwards, makes Chicago the first US city to implement a requisite measure concerning a serious public health issue.

With regard to the Council's decision about BPA baby-products' prohibition, Alderman Manuel Flores - one of two Chicago officials who proposed the ban on concerns about BPA's potentially-damaging effects in young children - said: "This is an important step in a landmark consumer protection initiative. This legislation will protect Chicago's children and send a clear message to other jurisdictions considering similar legislation."

BPA, which is present in some baby bottles and food container linings, is essentially a chemical used for hardening plastics in many consumer products like CDs, reusable bottles, and sports safety equipment. Some animal studies associated with harmful effects of BPA have revealed that the chemical accelerates puberty and poses health risks.

Commenting on the Food and Drug Administration's 2008 draft risk assessment saying that BPA levels found in products were 'safe,' Flores said: "The F. D. A. continues to be recalcitrant and very slow about taking any action on BPA."