A bill to ban BPA

Fellow MNN blogger Jen Savedge recently wrote about how even low levels of bisphenol-A (BPA), a chemical compound found in many food and drink containers, could be harmful for babies’ health. Luckily, we’re beginning to see some government action on this issue — at least in California. California State Senator Pavley just introduced legislation that would ban BPA from bottles and cans intended for children 3 and younger.

 

Called The Toxin-Free Toddlers and Babies Act (S.B. 797), this new bill targets baby bottles and children’s cups with more than 0.1 parts per billion of BPA. If passed, the bill would prohibit the manufacture, sale or distribution of such BPA-containing containers.

 

Why is this bill important? As the bill’s sponsor, Environmental Working Group, points out in its press release, “The National Toxicology Program of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has taken the stance that exposure to BPA during development may cause permanent changes in the developing brain and reproductive systems. The Canadian government has banned BPA-laden baby bottles and is currently setting a safety standard to minimize BPA levels in canned infant formula.”

 

You don’t have to wait to see what happens with the legislation to take action against BPA, however. Find out how you can avoid BPA in your day to day life, and what reusable water bottles are BPA-free.