It’s time to get toxic chemicals out of children’s products.
As an expectant mom, I’ve got plenty to look forward to, and also plenty to worry about. The last thing I want to have to stress over is whether or not there’s a toxic, cancer-causing chemical hiding in the bottle I use to feed my baby. Unfortunately, all parents in California DO have to worry about this.
Although many producers have eliminated it due to rising consumer concern, the toxic chemical and synthetic estrogen bisphenol A (BPA) is legal in California and is present in some brands of children’s feeding containers. It’s not enough to be a smart consumer who reads the label to determine what’s in the food we eat. We’ve also got to do our homework on what’s in the food containers. “BPA – it’s what’s for dinner”? And lunch, and breakfast? Well, that may be the unfortunate truth if you purchase the “wrong” baby bottles, sippy cups, infant formula cans, and baby food jars.
Take action now to tell your Assemblymember: It’s time to ban BPA from children’s feeding containers.
Scientific evidence indicates that there are serious, dangerous health impacts to infants and children from exposure to BPA. Over 200 studies show that BPA is linked with cancer, obesity, ADHD, and disrupted development of hormones, the brain, and the immune system. Even miniscule amounts of BPA have been shown to disrupt normal development.
Last year, children’s and environmental health advocates watched in dismay as the American Chemistry Council lobbied against and helped kill a bill banning BPA from children’s feeding containers. Having passed the Assembly 43-31, the bill failed in the state Senate by just one vote.
Fortunately, the bill is back. The Toxin-Free Infants & Toddlers Act (AB 1319), authored by Assemblymember Betsy Butler, is before the Assembly Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee. The committee will determine whether or not the bill can move forward in the legislative process. [Updated April 26, 5:05 PM: The bill passed the committee.] You can take action now to let your Assemblymember know that you support this important milestone for children’s health.
BPA isn’t good for anyone, but exposure to BPA during pregnancy, infancy and childhood is of particular concern to scientists. The brains and other organs of infants and children are constantly developing, undergoing periods of particular sensitivity to chemical exposures. Any disruption to their hormonal systems during development can set the stage for later-life diseases such as breast cancer and prostate cancer. (Click here to learn more about BPA).
For California’s kids and the healthy adults we hope they will become, it’s time to pass the bill to remove this toxic chemical from children’s products.
– Jenesse Miller, Communications Director, CLCV
