What’s Not on the Can’s Label (Editorial on Bisphenol A Featuring SFMS Member) September 22, 2011 News, Public Health, SFMS Member BPA, William Goodson 0 From yesterday's (September 21, 2011) issue of the San Francisco Chronicle: Awaiting Gov. Jerry Brown’s signature or veto is legislation (AB1319) that would ban the toxic chemical bisphenol A from baby bottles and sippy cups. BPA is a compound that mimics estrogen and has been linked to an array of hormonal and behavioral problems — including early puberty, hyperactivity, breast and prostate cancer, infertility and obesity. There is no reason to have that chemical in baby products when safer alternatives are readily available. Brown should sign SB1319 to limit infants’ BPA exposure, as 11 states have done in recent years, while lobbyists for the chemical and canning industries have been deflecting California BPA bills in each of the three previous years. The real issue is whether the California Legislature went far enough. The bill originally would have extended the ban to infant food containers — specifically formula — but that provision was deleted to increase the chances of passage. And even that restriction may have been insufficient to protect children. A report being released today by the Breast Cancer Fund showed disturbing levels of BPA in canned foods marketed for children. The fund commissioned an independent laboratory testing of a dozen popular canned foods — and all tested positive for the presence of BPA, which is used in the epoxy coatings in the inner lining of cans. The results suggest “we’re all part of a big experiment” on the effects of the chemical, said BPA researcher Dr. William Goodson of the Pacific Medical Center Research Institute. The chemical and canning industries have argued that potential exposure levels from BPA products are minimal and that the chemical is quickly and thoroughly flushed through the human body. They contend that the food-safety benefits of the epoxy liners greatly outweigh any risk from BPA. The scientific disagreement on the dangers of BPA has created a “wait and see” attitude among many legislators and regulators — including with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Meanwhile, consumer pressure is outpacing political and regulatory will in forcing a change in industry practices. Manufacturers of baby products, sports-water bottles and food containers have not only found alternatives to those items — something they once claimed couldn’t be done — but they also are touting “BPA free” on their labels. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., has been pushing for a national ban on BPA in baby bottles, sippy cups and formula containers. Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., has introduced a bill that would ban the chemical in all food and beverage containers. Consumers who are concerned about their children’s BPA exposure can wait for Congress to act, but that could take years. The history of this issue clearly shows that consumer demand can accelerate change. Source: http://hearst-eedition-20110921-sanfranciscochronicle.ca.newsmemory.com/?token=b2a05066ce768c52cf3a121bbd076538 Comments are closed.
