AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Add Maine to the list of states considering whether to ban bottles made with bisphenol A.

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection is proposing the ban on BPA in reusable food or beverage containers to take effect in January 2012.

BPA is a common ingredient in polycarbonate plastics used to make baby bottles, sippy cups and food containers. Critics say the chemical can disrupt the flow of hormones.

On Thursday, the Board of Environmental Protection set a public hearing for Aug. 19 on the proposal. The Bangor Daily News reports that if approved, the ban would be the first under Maine’s Kid-Safe Products Act, which was enacted in 2008.

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Information from: Bangor Daily News, http://www.bangornews.com