Bisphenol A (BPA), which is used widely in food and drinks containers to harden plastics, could be a cause of falling male fertility rates, and much else besides.

BPA has been found in the lining of food and drink cans, baby bottles, plastic knives and forks and even CD cases. The chemical, which mimics female sex hormone oestrogen, interferes with the way hormones are processed by the body.

Men with high levels of BPA in their bodies are more likely to have lower fertility and poor concentration, according to a study. It has also been linked to breast cancer, liver damage, obesity, and diabetes. BPA has been detected in more than 90% of people tested.

Canada and three American states have already banned the substance. Denmark became the first EU country to ban it in food and drink containers for children under three.

Professor John Meeker, a researcher at the University of Michigan said, “Much of the focus for BPA is on the exposures in utero or in early life, which is of course extremely important, but this suggests exposure may also be a concern for adults. The results also suggested a 10% increase in sperm DNA damage.”

Elizabeth Salter Green, of the Chemicals, Health And Environment Monitoring Trust, described the study as “another nail in the coffin” for BPA and called for it to be banned. “There are now hundreds of research papers that indicate BPA is not good for our health, linking exposure to fertility problems, cancer, diabetes and obesity.”

However, the toothless British Food Standards Agency insists there is no evidence BPA is harmful.

The Coalition Government in the UK has hinted it will abolish the agency, but recent signals have not been so firm.