Online and in the news: Plastic padding

PLASTIC PADDING: Exposure in the womb to a common chemical used in plastic water bottles and food cans may predispose babies to obesity, research suggests.

Scientists found that children exposed to higher levels of the chemical BPA in the womb had higher levels of body fat.

Senior author Dr Andrew Rundle, from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health in New York City, said: “Endocrine (hormone) disrupting chemicals like BPA may alter the baby’s metabolism and how fat cells are formed early in life.”