HealthDayChildren who receive dental fillings made from the controversial plastics chemical bisphenol A could undergo small but long-term changes in their behavior, a new study released Monday suggests.

Researchers looked at 534 children with fillings and examined their social skills before and five years after getting fillings. The fillings tested were made of either a silver blend called amalgam, which has been phased out because it contains mercury, or made of plastic composites, some of which are based on bisGMA, a material made from BPA.

The children who got the highest number of bisGMA-based fillings had slightly more emotional problems five years later than those who got fewer of the fillings. But no such change occurred with other types of fillings.

Although it remains controversial whether BPA affects health, previous research has linked BPA exposure to hyperactivity and aggressive behavior in young children.

Pfc. Raheen Tyson Heighter, of Bay Shore, was killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom. His mother has made it her mission to aid active-duty service members, veterans, first responders and Gold Star families. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports. Credit: Randee Daddona; Photo credit: Cathy Heighter

'His sacrifice made a difference': Gold Star mother honors son's memory Army Pfc. Raheen Tyson Heighter, 22, of Bay Shore, was the first serviceman from Long Island killed in the Iraq War.

Pfc. Raheen Tyson Heighter, of Bay Shore, was killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom. His mother has made it her mission to aid active-duty service members, veterans, first responders and Gold Star families. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie reports. Credit: Randee Daddona; Photo credit: Cathy Heighter

'His sacrifice made a difference': Gold Star mother honors son's memory Army Pfc. Raheen Tyson Heighter, 22, of Bay Shore, was the first serviceman from Long Island killed in the Iraq War.

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