HARTFORD, Conn. — Attorneys general from three states are asking 11 companies that make baby bottles and baby formula containers to no longer use the chemical bisphenol A.

The letters signed by attorneys general from Connecticut, New Jersey and Delaware call the chemical, known as BPA, potentially harmful to infants.

"I am alarmed by recent studies confirming that BPA leaches from these products into the foods they hold," Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal said in the letters. "The preventable release of a toxic chemical directly into the food we eat is unconscionable and intolerable."

Letters were sent Friday to baby bottle manufacturers Avent America Inc., Disney First Years, Gerber, Handicraft Co., Playtex Products Inc. and Evenflo Co., and formula makers Abbott, Mead Johnson, PBM Products, Nature's One and Wyeth.

The federal Food and Drug Administation, which has the power to ban or limit use of BPA in food containers and medical devices, has not recommended any change in consumer habits. Last month, the agency issued tips to avoid consumer exposure, including avoiding plastic containers imprinted with the recycling number '7,' as many of those contain BPA, or avoiding warming food in such containers.

Several states are considering restricting BPA use, and some manufacturers have begun promoting BPA-free baby bottles. St. Louis-based Handicraft, maker of Dr. Brown's baby bottles, says on its Web site that its newest bottles do not contain BPA and urges consumers to check its products for symbols that identify bottles that don't contain the chemical. A message was left with the company seeking comment Monday.

Some U.S. stores, such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Toys "R" Us, have already said they're phasing out products that contain BPA. The European Union has said BPA-containing products are safe, but Canada's government has proposed banning the sale of baby bottles with BPA as a precaution.

BPA is used in lightweight, durable plastics. Products include some baby bottles, sippy cups and reusable food and drink containers, such as reusable sports water bottles, Tupperware, compact discs, DVDs, eyeglass lenses and sports safety goggles and helmets.

BPA is also in epoxy resins used to make paints, adhesives and canned food liners.

Animal studies have linked BPA with breast, prostate and reproductive system abnormalities and some cancers, but experts disagree on whether it poses health risks for humans.