Legislation protects children’s health from toxic BPA
April 7th, 2011
SB 695 bans use of chemical in baby bottles, sippy cups, and reusable water bottles
SALEM – Citing the need to protect children from harmful chemicals, the Oregon Senate voted this morning to ban the sale in Oregon of all baby bottles, sippy cups and reusable water bottles that contain bisphenol-A (BPA). Senate Bill 695 also requires the state’s Women Infants and Children (WIC) Program to offer only infant formula that has exceptionally minimal levels of BPA, and it establishes the “Oregon BPA-Free Advisory Group.”
“Oregon’s children cannot wait any longer—not when doctors, nurses, pediatricians and scientists across the nation are calling for reducing BPA exposures in young children,” said Senator Jackie Dingfelder (D-Portland), chair of the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee. “The FDA has made it clear that even though it is concerned about BPA, it is unable to act in an effective and timely manner. With this vote, Oregon continues to lead the way on working to get harmful toxins out of our environment and away from our children.”
BPA is a potentially harmful, estrogen-mimicking chemical that has been linked to certain cancers, diabetes, reproductive disorders, and other health problems. In 2010 the FDA announced that “recent studies provide reason for some concern about the potential effect of BPA on the brain, behavior, and prostate gland of fetuses, infants and children.” BPA is commonly used in the production of plastics and has been shown to leach out of plastics and into food.
“We have a responsibility to protect Oregon’s children and keep them safe from dangerous toxins. BPA can permanently disrupt a child’s development and have lasting harmful effects to their health,” said Senator Alan Bates (D-Medford), a practicing physician. “Infants and children are especially vulnerable to the dangers of toxins like BPA because they have a harder time getting the chemicals out of their growing bodies. This exposure can potentially cause serious health risks, like early-onset puberty and cancer. ”
Although some retailers have discontinued BPA-based food containers and some manufactures have begun offering non-BPA products, many products containing BPA remain on the market. To date, nine states as well as Canada and the European Union have passed BPA bans, and twenty-three states are currently working on BPA ban legislation.
“BPA is a ticking time bomb that has been linked to a myriad of future health problems for our children, including cancer, heart disease, and diabetes,” said Senate Majority Leader Diane Rosenbaum (D-Portland). “Senate Bill 695 is about prevention and protecting our kids.”
SB 695 will now go the House for consideration.
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For more information on the Senate Majority Caucus, please visit orsenatemajority.org
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Tags: BPA, Senator Alan Bates, Senator Diane Rosenbaum, Senator Jackie Dingfelder
