The Nalgene company said it will stop using the chemical bisphenol A in its reusable water bottles, and WalMart will pull plastic baby bottles containing the chemical from shelves.

The moves come as a new federal report on bisphenol A, or BPA, neither clears nor condemns the chemical of being harmful to users’ health.

The latest study, by the federal Department of Health and Human Services Toxicology Program, said there’s a possibility that the chemical could be linked to health problems such as cancer and early onset puberty, but the findings were inconclusive. An earlier study by the Food and Drug Administration declared BPA safe.

At REI in Portland’s Pearl District, store manager Aaron Altshuler says the company is responding to consumer concerns by offering BPA free products.

“There’s just offering more options because there’s concern out there, but there’s no conclusive evidence that it’s harmful,” Altshuler said. He’s right.

New mother Amy Koopman isn’t taking any chances. She kept her plastic baby bottles after her first son was born, hoping to use them again.

Her second son, Cole, was born a week ago, but Koopman said she’ll probably replace the bottles with ones made from either glass or BPA-free plastic.

“If it comes out that that’s the best thing for the baby, that’s what we’ll have to do,” said Koopman.

At the Providence St. Vincent’s Post Partum Clinic, nurse Doris Onnis said sales of glass bottles are way up. She said it’s important to remember the safe uses of all plastic.

“There’s a safe and practical use of plastic,” Onnis said. “We really shouldn’t be heating it up and that’s where we get into trouble.”

BPA is the chemical that makes plastic hard and shatterproof. Nalgene water bottles have a reputation for being toughness, but experts say the new bottles will not be as durable. At REI, labels help customers learn which bottles are BPA-free.

For consumers looking to limit their exposure to BPA, check the bottom of the bottle. Single use plastic bottles that have the recycling number “1” don’t have much BPA. Bottles with the numbers 3, 6, or 7 have more BPA.

Critics of BPA say they hope the new study will prompt a second look by the FDA about the chemical’s safety.