Maine health and environmental organizations released a national study today that found most baby bottles release a toxic chemical when heated.

The advocates, and some local parents, said the findings highlight the need for pending legislation in Maine to inventory toxic chemicals found in children’s products and encourage safer alternatives.

Bottles from across the United States and Canada were tested for the chemical bisphenol-A (BPA). Ninety-five percent of all baby bottles on the market are made with BPA, a synthetic hormone that mimics estrogen and has been linked to obesity, diabetes, cancers and other illnesses in laboratory studies, according to the groups.

The results of the U.S. study show that when new bottles are heated, those manufactured by Avent, Evenflo, Dr. Brown’s and Disney/First Years leached between 4.7 – 8.3 parts per billion of BPA, well above the level considered dangerous, the organizations said.